Dominic Difrancesco

Dominic D. DiFrancesco, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and Past National Commander of the American Legion, passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Monday, September 6, 2021, surrounded by those that loved him most, his family.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Beverly (Condran); his father, Antonio DiFrancesco and his mother, Adelina (Buccieri) DiFrancesco; his four sisters: Roseann, Carmella, Dolores (Fitting) and Juanita (Roberts).

Dominic was blessed to find love two times in one lifetime and after the death of his wife Beverly, he married Emmi I. Campbell DiFrancesco; his four children, Debra L. DiFrancesco-Wagner, Anthony R. DiFrancesco, Toniann DiFrancesco Noss and husband Ron, and Dominic (Nick) D. DiFrancesco, II and wife Stefanie, his loving grandchildren, Michael, Amanda, Angela, Anthony, Jr., Jamie, Ronald Jr., Zachary Noss, Samantha, Dominic III, Elizabeth; great-grandchildren, Christian, Kaitlyn, Brooke, Lexie, Isabella, Grace, Reagan, Jackson, Olivia, Lilly, Liam, Luke, Hadley, Charlie, Stevie, Dominic, James, Myla, Rowan; great-grandchildren, Adelina, Hunter and Marcus; Step Grandchildren, Joshua, Adam, Jessica, Bobby, Taylor, Nick, Victoria, Matthew; Step-Great-Grandchildren, Ben, Whitney, Hayden, and Hugo, all of whom adored their Nanutz. He also blessed us with a step-brother, Rob and wife Pam, step-sisters Sabrina Clouser and husband Tim and Christina Spangler (deceased) and husband Scott, along with many step-grandchildren and step-great children.

Dominic served his country as a communication technician in the US Navy during the Korean War, then continued to work for and serve the veterans of this country the remainder of his life. He was retired from the federal government where he served as a Plan and Resource Specialist at the USAMC Catalog Data Activity, New Cumberland Army Depot and from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the Veteran Services Coordinator for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. While employed with the Commonwealth, he accomplished one of his proudest achievements, the fundraising and building of the veterans'' memorial at Fort Indiantown Gap. As a testament to his dedication and commitment, the Dauphin County (Pennsylvania) Veterans Memorial Building was renamed the Dominic D. DiFrancesco Veterans Building and he was later inducted into the Pennsylvania Military and Veterans Affairs Veterans Hall of Fame.

Dominic served as National Commander of the American Legion in 1991 and served as Chief Executive Officer of that organization. During that time, his commitment to the American Legion and Veteran''s worldwide, led the organization to its highest membership attainment in more than 40 years, through emphasis on community-based programs and effective lobbying for veterans'' rights. As CEO, he traveled more than 200,000 miles as the official spokesman for the largest veterans'' organization, representing more than three million members. He visited with foreign heads of state, the American Embassy personnel and Ambassadors in eight nations to discuss international relations and veterans'' affairs. On behalf of America''s veterans and their families, he testified to Congress on numerous issues, including the Persian Gulf War registry, a new GI Bill of Rights, Agent Orange compensation, and the management of the Department of Veterans'' Affairs.

Throughout his career he has held prominent positions working on behalf of veterans nationwide, including National Chairman of the American Legion Legislative Commission, Director of Special Projects for US Senator Arlen Specter, National Chairman of the American Legion Membership and Post Activities Commission, State Commander of the Pennsylvania American Legion, President of the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council, Member of the Pennsylvania State Veterans Commission, National Executive Committeeman of the American Legion, Trustee of the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council, member of Department of Veterans Affair Committee on Cemeteries and memorials. He also served as counsel from Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush.

He was a member of the American Legion Post #594, Steelton Italian Club, 40 and 8 Voiture Locale #269, Pennsylvania American Legion Past District Commanders Association, Italian American War Vets Post #32, and Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada-US Unit.

In all of his accomplishments, he never forgot his roots or family. He was proud to be the son of an Italian immigrant who became a shoemaker in Steelton, Pennsylvania. He loved his family more than anything he ever accomplished, and he passed the love of God, family and country down to his children.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 12, 2021 from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm in Wiedeman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 357 South Harrisburg Street, Oberlin and on Monday, September 13, 2021 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am in Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 280 North Race Street, Middletown. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am in Seven Sorrows, with the Rev. Timothy J. Sahd, Pastor, Celebrant. Private family burial will be held in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lebanon VA Hospice, 1700 S. Lincoln Avenue, Lebanon, PA 17042.