SEYMOUR
Mr. Paul R. DeStefano, 52, of Seymour, passed away from a long battle with brain cancer on Saturday, March 7, 2020. He was born in Chicago. The son of the late Sara D. (Galfano) DeStefano and James DeStefano.
Funeral Mass will be conducted by Voss & Sons Funeral Service at St. Ambrose Catholic Church on Saturday, March 14 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Dan Staublin officiating assisted by Deacon Mike East. A private graveside service will be held at a later time.
Family and friends may call at Voss & Sons Funeral Service on Friday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and at St. Ambrose Catholic Church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Rosary will be held at Voss & Sons Funeral Service on Friday at 4:30 p.m.
On August 28, 1993, Paul married Benita Tschudny; she survives. He was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church. Paul graduated from Merrillville Senior High School, class of 1986. Paul graduated from Rose-Hulman in 1990 with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and a minor in Applied Optics. In 1992, he graduated from Rose-Hulman School of Technology with a Masters in Applied Optics.
Paul was a member of American Mensa, Ltd., a Founding Father of Rose-Hulman Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, SPIE – The International Society for Optical Engineering, as well as SAE – Society of Automotive Engineers where Paul served as the chairman of the Road Illumination Device Standards Committee.
Paul was Manager of Optical Engineering and Regulations at Valeo Lighting Systems of North America and had served the company for 23 years. He was a Valeo Lighting Expert in Regulatory Affairs and was a valued teacher and mentor for many new aspiring engineers in the company. He held a US Patent for System & Method for Controlling a Lighting and/or Signaling Device.
In his free time, Paul enjoyed playing cards, especially poker. His nickname was “the professor.” He also held a 2nd degree Black Belt in Ronin Ryu Bujutsu. Paul enjoyed listening to and playing music, and spending time with family and friends.
Paul is survived by his wife of 26 years, Benita DeStefano; brother, David DeStefano; mother-in-law, Kathy Tschudny; brother-in-law, David (Sandi) Tschudny; sister-in-law, Melissa (Brent) Pound; nephews, Caleb DeStefano, Evan Pound, Kaiden Tschudny, Braiden Tschudny; niece, Rebecca DeStefano as well as great-nephew, Jack Wolff.
He was preceded in death by his mother; and father-in-law, Nick Tschudny.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be written to St. Ambrose Catholic Church or Hospice of Schneck Medical Center, in care of Voss & Sons Funeral Service.
Paul stopped on his way through the pearly gates to thank St. Peter for the bright light but maybe he should think about some glare control.
Online condolences may be given on the funeral home website at www.vossfuneralservice.com.
