John R. Dewolfe

John Randolph deWolfe, 95 yrs., of Bethlehem, formerly of Hawley, PA and Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, N.Y., died September 16, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. He shared 66 years of marriage with his wife, Mary E. Meeks deWolfe, prior to her death in October 2014. Born in the Bronx, NY, on Sept. 4, 1921, he was the son of Francis and Helen deWolfe.

John proudly served his country in WWII. After completing U.S. Army Ranger training, he served in the Pacific Theater with the 102nd Combat Engineers and was honorably discharged. He joined the NYC Police Department and was “on the job” as a detective for 23 years and served as the Financial Secretary for the Detectives Endowment Association. Following his career with the NYPD, he was employed as Assistant Vice President and Director of Security at Amalgamated Bank of NY.

John was a devoted Catholic who served his church as an altar boy at St. Nicholas of Tollentine Church, Bronx, and later as a lector and Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Angels Church, Brooklyn and Queen of Peace Church, Hawley. At Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Bethlehem, he enjoyed the role of Greeter. He also attended Mass at Assumption BVM Church, Bethlehem, with his daughter. He was a loyal member of the Holy Name Society, the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.

Lovingly known as “Chief”, John embraced life with open arms, generously offering a helping hand or a hug and a smile. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children; playing ball, sleigh riding and body surfing at the beach and served as Scout Master for his sons. He cheered on his children at many sporting events and participated in all kinds of games and activities with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was well-known for enchanting children and their parents by making hundreds of paper helicopters. Chief cherished gathering numerous new friends wherever his journey took him.

John is survived by his five sons and three daughters: Stephen (Luann), Joan Doherty, Paul (Traci), Christopher (Debbie), Patricia Rescigno (Rob), Mary Beth Rucker (Dan), John and James; his grandchildren: Matthew, Daniel and David de Wolfe, Samantha MacDonald , Jeannette Dructor, Heather and Kevin Doherty, Alyssa and Ryan de Wolfe, Jason de Wolfe, Erin Hein, Tricia, Robbie and Paul Rescigno, Kerrin Noller and Daniel Rucker; his 21 great-grandchildren and his sister-in-law, Joan Meeks, Sisters of Charity, Halifax.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to St. Lukes Hospice for their expert and attentive care during his final days and to Dr. W. Timothy Scharle and Dr. Richard Kolecki for their compassion and expertise in handling Johns medical care for many years.

Services: Visitations will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 from 7 to 9 pm at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018 and on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 from 10 to 11 am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 3219 Santee Rd. Bethlehem, PA 18020, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Burial will be at Holy Savior Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in John's name to the DEA Widows and Childrens Fund.

Please mail donations to:

Paul DiGiacomo

Vice President

The Detectives Endowment Association, Inc.

26 Thomas Street

New York, NY 10007

Attn: Widows and Childrens Fund

Cemetery
Holy Saviour Cemetery
2575 Linden St.
Bethlehem PA 18017
US

Viewing
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Connell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Viewing
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
3219 Santee Road
Bethlehem PA 18020
US

Mass of Christian Burial
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
11:00 AM
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
3219 Santee Road
Bethlehem PA 18020
US

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531