Mr. Salvatore M. DeStefano

March 3, 1928 - September 5, 2016

Mr. Salvatore M. DeStefano, 88, of Cortland passed away Monday September 5, 2016 at Cortland Regional Medical Center. Born March 3, 1928 in New York City, Sal was the son of Vincenzo D. and Francesca Spadaro DeStefano. Sal was a communicant of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church. He was employed for 35 years with New York State, first with the unemployment office in New York City then at Cornell University and finally relocating to Cortland where he was employed in the Library at S.U.N.Y. Cortland before his retirement in 1983. Survivors include his dear friend and the man who was like a brother to Sal; Victor Baez of Cortland, his sister; Raffaela "Fanny" (John) Palyo of Flushing, a brother in law' James Edmonds, Sr., several nieces and a nephew and dear friends; Cindy Schlenker and Margaret Nicholas both of Cortland. In addition to his parents, Sal was preceded in death by a sister; Clara Edmonds and brothers; Patsy and Mario DiStefano. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church. Prayers of committal will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. The family will be present to receive friends on Saturday from 10-11 a.m. in St. Anthony's Church prior to mass. Contributions in Sal's memory may be made to St. Anthony's Church 59 N. Main St. Cortland, N.Y. Condolences may also be sent by visiting www.riccardifuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of Riccardi Funeral Home, Cortland, N.Y.