John William DiStasio

John William DiStasio, Jr. Passed away on Friday, 3-27-09 surrounded by his family. John was a Graduate of Sacred Heart High School and that is where he met his future wife the love of his life Nancy Archambault. John went on to Fordham University School of Pharmacy where he earned his degree and started his career as a pharmacist for the next 50+ years. He married Nancy in 1956 and soon found himself drafted into military service in Louisiana for a short time. John and Nancy soon had their first child Suzanne and moved to Venice, FL and a few years later their second child John arrived. John worked for Liggett Drug, Venice Hospital and Grey Drug for many years starting in the late 60’s. Early in the morning he would start out there filling the Med Cart at the hospital then go across the street and work at Liggett Drug all day. He did this till the hospital hired a pharmacist. John then bought Hedges Prescription Shoppe where he and the entire family worked together for over a decade. After many offers John finally sold his business to Eckerd Drug in the early nineties and part of the deal was he went to work for them for a short time to help with the transition. John enjoyed working for Eckerd so much that he decided to continue to work for them for the next 15 years even after they were sold to CVS. John finally retired in 2006 due to health issues but he still remained active. His wife Nancy died in June 2007 unexpected and he was devastated. John found strength in family and friends and he rediscovered his faith in Jesus Christ and attended San Pedro’s Catholic Church every Sunday with his son John. In 2008 he went on his first trip to Italy and got to enjoy touring the city of Rome and Vatican City where he was able to see Pope Benedict XVI give a service. He also went to a DiStasio family reunion in June in Conn. and had a chance to catch up with the entire family. John was a great guy. Everyone who had a chance to know or work with him found him to be a kind and gentle man who always put the needs of others before his own. The old saying is true, “They broke the mold with him.” John is survived by his daughter Suzanne Reed (husband Larry), his son John (wife Mellissa) and his two grandsons John IV and Christopher. John has a brother Anthony DiStasio from Pompano Beach FL and a sister Joan Perugini from Prospect, CT. Arrangements are by Farley Funeral Home.