Vincent James DiStefano

April 20, 1946 - August 9, 2023

S.S. Peter & Paul Cemetery

1600 S Sproul Rd

Springfield, PA 19064

(610) 544-4933 |

Thursday 8/17

Our Lady of Lourdes Church

6301 Woodbine Ave.

Philadelphia, PA 19151

215-473-1669 |

Thursday 8/17, 10:30 am

Vincent James DiStefano was born in Philadelphia, PA on April 20, 1946, and returned
home to the Lord on August 9, 2023.
Vince was the loving son of the late Vincent and Anna DiStefano, and the beloved brother
of Robert DiStefano and Teresa DiPietro [Stephen]. He was also uncle to Anna Marie and
Stephen DiPietro (Maria Elena), Amanda and Gina DiStefano.
Vince was a graduate of St. Thomas Moore High School and Drexel University. Faithful
and loyal to both his alma maters, Vince attended virtually every “Golden Bear” Communion
breakfast the St. Tommy More Alumni held. Many of his classmates became his friends his entire
life. Upon graduating from Drexel University with a BS in Accounting, Vince joined the United
States Department of Justice where he served as a DEA Special Agent and later as Country
Attache and Head of the DEA in the European Division for the Department of Drug Enforcement
Administration; a career which spanned over thirty-five years, and for which he was very proud.
To Vince, his career in law enforcement was a dream come true. One of his colleagues in Italy
where he was based at the American Embassy in Rome, once told him, “Vince, you are the head
of the DEA, and you arrive at the office at 7:00 AM?” His response was, “I arrive at 7:00 AM just
because I am the boss”. Vince led by example and taught his colleagues both at home and
abroad much about friendship and honor. Vince practiced and advocated the servant leadership
style which is based on the idea that leaders prioritize serving the greater good. Vince always
placed and served his teams and the Department of Justice first.
Vince was an accomplished sharpshooter who enjoyed his weekly visits to the Delaware
County Gun Club and was an avid gun collector. He also looked forward to his periodic hunting
trips each year with his friends. Vince was a resolute coin enthusiast and collector and loved the
Lionel model trains of the 1950’s.
Vince was a devout Catholic who enjoyed going to Mass and especially enjoyed the
traditional Latin Mass. He was always willing to help others, especially when it came to his
neighbors in Cochranville whom he loved and where he most recently resided. He loved dogs
and would always have treats on hand with which to reward his neighbor’s pets. He was a
definite hit among the canine set on Laurel Ridge Path where dogs would force their owners to
stop at Vince’s driveway to garner a treat.
This is who Vince was – a caring, thoughtful son, brother, uncle and friend who will be
held very closely in our hearts forever.
Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral mass at 10:30 AM on Thursday, August 17,
2023, at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, 6301 Woodbine Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
19151. Internment SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township, PA.
Donations in Vince’s memory may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361
Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306, or to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501
St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Send Flowers Plant a Tree

S.S. Peter & Paul Cemetery

1600 S Sproul Rd

Springfield, PA 19064

(610) 544-4933 | Map

Thursday 8/17

Our Lady of Lourdes Church

6301 Woodbine Ave.

Philadelphia, PA 19151

215-473-1669 | Map

Thursday 8/17, 10:30 am

See Condolences

Our deepest sympathy to the DiStefano family. We met Vince when he was stationed at the American Embassy in Rome. We have fond memories of Vince

He was a courageous & morally righteous MAN. One of the LORD'S selected !!!

I dated Vincent many years ago. He was such a gentleman and a real sweetheart. I am so sorry for your loss. R.I.P. Vinni!

Our deepest condolences to Vince's family and friends. We met Vince when we worked together at the US Embassy in Rome. He was very professional, detail-oriented and loved his job.

I met Vince at DEA HQS, he also had a smile to share and also had something good to say. He was a pleasure ot be around. My sincere condolence to his family. He truely was one of the good guys! Rest in Peace my friend.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

A fine man, liked, respected and admired by all. Outstanding agent and public servant. Rest in Peace.

It was an honor working with Vince during our international days. Vince was known to lead his troops by example, was an exemplary boss, always prioritizing the needs of his co-workers. He predictably had an interesting story to tell and was also an engaging listener. He was one of the good guys and will be sorely missed. Condolences & prayers to his family.

May he rest in peace.

Vince and I had many things in common: the same first name, Italian heritage, and fast speaking except he was from Philly and I from the Big Apple. Vince was a professional in all respects and the world will miss him. God bless,Vince!

I met Vince at DEA Headquarters. He was, first of all, a consummate professional and a great friend. I still have one of his Italian recipes. My condolences to his family.

Vince was among the first agents, I met when I arrived at the Philadelphia BNDD IN 1971. HE was what I thought an agent would be COOL AND CONFIDENT. He was friendly, a roll model for all us new agents A true gentleman and great asset to the agency. May he rest in peace and comfort to his family and friends.

My condolences to Vince's family. I had the privilege of working with him at DEA New York and HQs. He was always impeccably dressed and was an wonderful friend. May he rest in peace.

My deepest condolences to Vince's family and friends. I had the honor of knowing and serving with Vince at DEA and he was an exceptionally fine agent and friend. May he rest in peace.

TO my dear friend Vince, during the past 40 years, we have shared many concerns and experiences, that have reinforced my respect and admiration for you as a true friend and someone who personified honor, respect and integrity. Speaking also for my family, we all will miss you - you will stay in our hearts forever. Pete DEDICH

Please accept my condolences for your loss. I was so saddened to hear of his sudden passing. I was fortunate to have known Vince for over 60 years. I will miss his Interesting and entertaining appearances at our luncheons. For indeed he was an exemplar person, always striving to do the right thing, at the right time. A strong and determined man with a gentlemanly Demeanor.

Vince, When you and mom reconnected 20 years ago it was fate.. You were her rock, and little did you know you would become a rock for me too. You were my moms protector, her twin flame, favorite travel partner, the best dog dad, mr fix it , a personal car detailer and our favorite Patriot. Over the years our relationship blossomed, you rode it out over my teenage years which wasn’t easy, I like to think I taught you a few things . As I grew up I couldn’t wait to talk about current events with you and hear stories from your days in DEA. We bonded over our love for mom (Cynthia) and the America Flag! You were by our side thru thick and thin and always found a solution. It was a great honor to call you a family member and have you as part of my wedding (you looked so dapper in your white dinner jacket ). I will miss your pranks, your giggles, playing lotto tickets, your attention to detail and your endless love for not only mom but me as well. We will truly miss you everyday, our love for you is immeasurable. I can’t wait to run Tunnel to Towers marathon in your memory! LOVE, JIllian Kinderman

It was with great sorrow that we learned of Vince's passing--he was one of a kind. A man who cared about so many things and did all of them well. That was his character and he was respected for it. We worked together for several years and he was in every way the consummate professional. We will miss him deeply; and to his family and friends we extend our condolences.

Condolences to all his family members. He was a great friend and as you say a great person. I will miss our conversations and miss him at our STM events. God Bless.

Vince and I first met at the Philadelphia office. We worked as partners and colleagues over the next 30 years both domestically and internationally. He was probably the most effective agent I ever had the pleasure to serve with. We maintained our close relationship after our retirements and spoke almost weekly. He never hinted at the physical challenges he was facing. I cannot overstate how much I will miss him.

We have known Vince since our high school years and were blessed to have him become a neighbor about one year after we moved out to Chester County over 22 years ago. Vince was always asking if there was anything he could do or help out with and in fact helped us to construct a new expanded front porch on our house. Of course Vince showed up with a "creased" pair of kakis on, ready to give a hand. Anyone who knows Vince, knows he was always meticulously dressed and only his car would outshine him. Once you became a friend of Vince's, you were a friend for life and this life is too short for such a great person. Rest in peace Vince, you are sorely missed. May all your family and friends find the healing peace that only God's grace can give.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

A great friend and he will be dearly missed from our gang. From overbrook

So sorry about Vince's passing. He was a dedicated DEA agent and caring person, and I am grateful to have been his friend and colleague.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.

Vincent James DiStefano

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