John A. Difiori

On June 27, 2016. Age 83, of Westmont, NJ.

Beloved husband of Ginny Marcin. Loving father of John P. DiFiori (Elizabeth) of Manhattan Beach, CA, Michael DiFiori (Lynda) of Newtown, PA and Carolyn Hopkins of Elmira, NY. Dear brother of Lawrence of Providence, RI and Dolores Salerno (Gene) of Linwood, NJ. Beloved grandfather of Monica and Julia; Raymond, Anna and David; Alex and Lily. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

From 1960 -1991 he was a dedicated Biology teacher at South Philadelphia High School.

John was a modern Renaissance man who was interested in science, scholarly subjects and current events, as well as athletics and outdoor activities. A lifetime member of the Outdoor Club of South Jersey, he enjoyed camping, back-packing and canoeing, and explored hang-gliding, spelunking and kayaking.

An avid horticulturalist by instinct as well as study, he devoted great care to the diverse plants in his garden. Each was chosen for aesthetic characteristics as well as growth traits.

Skilled on the pottery wheel, he especially loved raku firing, a Japanese-origin process that creates unique effects that are somewhat unpredictable.

He was well known among the S. Jersey cycling community. In 1992, he cycled across the United States with the Pedal for Power Across America organization to raise money for the environmental program within the science department at South Philadelphia High. Well into retirement, he often defied the elements to cycle the Pinelands roads. He pored over articles about cycling performance and emerging technology. In the days before GPS, he researched routes in person in the Pine Barrens to create "cue sheets" for group rides. He enjoyed mentoring fellow cyclists on techniques and philosophies of the sport.

Born in Pittsburgh, he grew up helping his parents, John Joseph and Ruth DiFiori (Fay), in their restaurant businesses in Philadelphia and Atlantic City. He graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1951, where he was a multi-sport varsity athlete in football, wrestling, and track and field. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Temple University, and was a four-year varsity wrestler for the Owls. A US Navy Veteran, he served as a Radar Specialist on the destroyer escort USS John Willis between 1956 and 1958.

John enjoyed mentoring his children about their families and careers.
Among his grandchildren, he was known for the humorous stories of his youth and clever riddles. On holidays or birthdays, he sent them packages filled with unique gifts and toys, as well as newspaper clippings he thought they would enjoy.

Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rails to Trails http://www.railstotrails.org/RememberJohnD or Samaritan Hospice www.samaritannj.org/memorial-gifts.