Joseph DeFilippo, age 99, of Shelton, passed away peacefully on October 27th, surrounded by his loving family. He was predeceased by his devoted wife of 62 years Irene Plaskon DeFilippo. Joseph was born in Shelton on July 25th 1926, son of the late Anna and Vincent DeFilippo and was a lifelong Shelton resident.
He is the beloved father of Gary DeFilippo and his wife Charlene and Diana McNeil and her husband Chad; his loving grandchildren Erica (Mike), Christina (Raja), Thomas (Ashley), and Gary (Anita); as well as his cherished great-grandchildren Charlie, Leo, Layla, and Savannah He is also survived by his sister Martha Bova, sister-in-law Dorothy Dipaulo and her husband Dominic, sister in law Ann Defilippo and many beloved nieces and nephews. Joseph was predeceased by his five brothers-Michael, Louis, Paul, Salvatore, and Vincent.
A proud World War Il veteran, Joseph joined the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Arneb and finishing his service on the USS Missouri. His lifelong pride in his service and his country was matched only by his dedication to his hometown of Shelton.
Joseph began his career at Sikorsky Aircraft, retiring as a foreman in 1990. He later served as a State Marshal for the Superior Court and as the City Sheriff of Shelton. In recognition of his decades of commitment to public service, he received the John Davis Lodge Award in 2016 from the Republican Party for outstanding service to the State of Connecticut and the Shelton Republican Town Committee.
Deeply involved in his community, Joseph was a member of the Shelton Parks and Recreation Committee for over 30 years, retiring in 2021. He also served on the Citizen Advisory Board was an honorary lifetime member of the American Legion Post 19, and was an active member of the Shelton Republican Town Committee. A lifelong parishioner of the Three Saints Russian Orthodox Church, he faithfully served on many of its committees over the years.
Joseph’s love for Shelton was evident in everything he did. He was one of the original founders of the “Music Under the Stars” concert series on the Huntington Green after helping to build the Huntington gazebo. He was a longtime coach of many Biddy Basketball teams, mentoring countless young athletes and fostering community spirit.
A dedicated sports enthusiast, Joseph could always be found cheering on Shelton High School football, basketball, and baseball teams well into his 90s. He was also a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees, the New York Giants, and UConn basketball.
Joseph DeFilippo was a proud American, a devoted family man, and a true Sheltonite whose love for his family, faith, and community will live on for generations to come.
Friends are invited to greet the family on Tuesday November 4, 2025 from 4 PM to 7 PM in the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Rd. Shelton. On Wednesday his funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 10:15 AM for his funeral service at 11 AM in Three Saints Russian Orthodox Church, 26 Howard Ave. Ansonia. His burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Shelton. Online condolences can be offered to the family at www.riverviewfh.com.