DeSTEFANO, Adolph "Al" passed away peacefully at Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park, FL on December 25, 2016. Al was born in Rutland, VT, Nov. 3, 1927. Soon after, the family moved to Philadelphia, PA where Al was raised and attended public schools. In Feb. 1945, Al enlisted in the Merchant Marines and attended the Merchant Marine Academy in Sheepshead Bay, NY. Upon graduation he served a year on the SS Fort Bridger, an Oil Tanker and visited many ports around the world. Upon return in 1946, a draft notice was awaiting him, but he enlisted instead. His Army career began with the Army Constabulary, HQs. Co, 10th Regt, Horse Platoon, in Germany for the next three years just after WW 2. He served with the 2nd Inf. Div. during the Korean War, then came the Vietnam War and Al served with MACV (Military Assistance Command Vietnam) Combined Intelligence Center, Vietnam. After 21 years, Al retired as a 1st Sgt. (E-8). Al then had a 20-year career as Florida Regional Supply Supervisor with Allstate Insurance Company. In his Fifty (50) years as a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Al had served as Leader, Chairman or a member of numerous committees, State of Florida Commander, Post Commander of 4364, State District 9 Commander and non-VFW Committee Council of Administration for 2 years. He served as Vice Chairman, National Community Service Committee, National Security and Foreign Affairs Committee, National Time and Place Committee and National Legislative Committee. Al later served on the Fort Stewart, GA. United State Army Retiree Council, representing Georgia, Florida and South Carolina Veterans. He served on U.S. Senator Stones' Military Academy Selection Board, was appointed by Governor Bob Graham to the Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs and then appointed by U.S. Senator Paula Hawkins to the Senate Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs. Locally he was on the Pinellas Park Code Enforcement Board. Al was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years Alice and he is survived by his two children, Craig and Christine. Al's interment service with military honors will be held at Bay Pines National Cemetery on Wed. Jan. 4 at 12:45 pm.

Taylor Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center

Published in the Tampa Bay Times on Jan. 1, 2017