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Joseph DeFranco
Korean War Vet had long career in education.
By Tim Chicirda, BucksLocalNews.com
Bristol High School graduate Corporal Joseph DeFranco is truly a jack of all trades.
Upon graduating from high school amidst the height of the Korean War, DeFranco completed a two-year tool and die maker apprenticeship with Fallsington Manufacturing Company, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Fabio.
He confirms, "tool and die makers are a rare breed; I call it the king of trades."
DeFranco then began his two-years active duty, guarding the Wiesbaden Airfield, the home of Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Europe.
Wiesbaden Army Airfield is located southeast of the city of Wiesbaden, Hessen, Germany. It was selected as the site for Headquarters, United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) on Sept. 28, 1945, in large part due to its proximity to Frankfurt am Main, where the U.S. Seventh Army was headquartered.
Airmen from Wiesbaden distinguished themselves in support of "Operation Vittles." C-47s and C-54 "Skymasters" of the 60th Troop Carrier Group flew missions daily from Wiesbaden to Tempelhof in the beleaguered city of Berlin. During one day's operations more than 80 tons of food and supplies were airlifted from Wiesbaden.
DeFranco then went on to six years of inactive duty, earning his Army provided training and education, making him skilled in all areas of plastics, woodworking, metals, ceramics and printing.
DeFranco now lives with fellow Bristol High grad and wife Anna in Bensalem. The two are the proud parents of four college graduates.
Their children are church organist and Director of Music Joseph Edward; electrical engineer Judith Ann Mastrocola; Eagle Scout John Richard; and electrical engineer and track athlete Joanna Frances DeFranco-Tommarello, who is a Senior Lecturer of Information Science in the PSU Engineering Division of the School of Graduate Studies.
These four have presented Joseph and Anna with their treasured eight grandchildren ranging in ages from 15 to the youngest, who is two-years-old.
Joe's parents were also a large part of his life, and a huge influence. Donato and Rose DeFranco emigrated to West Virginia from Rosetta, Italy, later moving to Bristol when Joe was seven-years-old. Private Donato was a veteran of World War II, sparking young Joe's path.
Aside from Joe's military career, the veteran had a long career in education.
Joe has been involved in the education field for a half of a century, producing students prepared for the rigors of active citizenship and long-term success. When he finished college, he started teaching in the Bristol Township schools, Lafayette Elementary School, then Woodrow Wilson H.S., including two years of metal shop and woodshop.
He taught a total of eight years and then served in Administration as Supervisor of Vocational Education, a liason to any trade related classes, now called Career Tech, and retired in 1990. Though this was not much of a "retirement," as he has been working for the last 20 years in Career & Technical Education at Temple University.
The Temple Center for Professional Development in Career and Technical Education offers career-long services to Career and Technical Education (CTE) professionals throughout the seventeen counties that comprise the eastern region of PA. Its mission is to facilitate the professional development of all educators who work with career-bound students.
Joe started co-operative education in Bristol Township schools and made presentations to all of the area service organizations.
The Cooperative Education Program provides an opportunity for students to alternate semesters of academic study with semesters of paid, career-related, engaged-learning experience. A basic goal of this experiential-learning program is to help bridge the gap between academic study and its application in professional practice. Teeming with intellect, confidence and charisma, Joe has proven himself to be the main advocate to offer navigable paths and universal access to complete and competitive education.
In 1997, Joseph DeFranco was recognized in Harrisburg as Outstanding Post-secondary educator in the State of PA for his involvement in professional organizations, memberships and activities by the PA Department of Education.
Joe has been a wonderful resident, long-time educator and a brave veteran.
By Tim Chicirda, BucksLocalNews.com
Bristol High School graduate Corporal Joseph DeFranco is truly a jack of all trades.
Upon graduating from high school amidst the height of the Korean War, DeFranco completed a two-year tool and die maker apprenticeship with Fallsington Manufacturing Company, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Fabio.
He confirms, "tool and die makers are a rare breed; I call it the king of trades."
DeFranco then began his two-years active duty, guarding the Wiesbaden Airfield, the home of Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Europe.
Wiesbaden Army Airfield is located southeast of the city of Wiesbaden, Hessen, Germany. It was selected as the site for Headquarters, United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) on Sept. 28, 1945, in large part due to its proximity to Frankfurt am Main, where the U.S. Seventh Army was headquartered.
Airmen from Wiesbaden distinguished themselves in support of "Operation Vittles." C-47s and C-54 "Skymasters" of the 60th Troop Carrier Group flew missions daily from Wiesbaden to Tempelhof in the beleaguered city of Berlin. During one day's operations more than 80 tons of food and supplies were airlifted from Wiesbaden.
DeFranco then went on to six years of inactive duty, earning his Army provided training and education, making him skilled in all areas of plastics, woodworking, metals, ceramics and printing.
DeFranco now lives with fellow Bristol High grad and wife Anna in Bensalem. The two are the proud parents of four college graduates.
Their children are church organist and Director of Music Joseph Edward; electrical engineer Judith Ann Mastrocola; Eagle Scout John Richard; and electrical engineer and track athlete Joanna Frances DeFranco-Tommarello, who is a Senior Lecturer of Information Science in the PSU Engineering Division of the School of Graduate Studies.
These four have presented Joseph and Anna with their treasured eight grandchildren ranging in ages from 15 to the youngest, who is two-years-old.
Joe's parents were also a large part of his life, and a huge influence. Donato and Rose DeFranco emigrated to West Virginia from Rosetta, Italy, later moving to Bristol when Joe was seven-years-old. Private Donato was a veteran of World War II, sparking young Joe's path.
Aside from Joe's military career, the veteran had a long career in education.
Joe has been involved in the education field for a half of a century, producing students prepared for the rigors of active citizenship and long-term success. When he finished college, he started teaching in the Bristol Township schools, Lafayette Elementary School, then Woodrow Wilson H.S., including two years of metal shop and woodshop.
He taught a total of eight years and then served in Administration as Supervisor of Vocational Education, a liason to any trade related classes, now called Career Tech, and retired in 1990. Though this was not much of a "retirement," as he has been working for the last 20 years in Career & Technical Education at Temple University.
The Temple Center for Professional Development in Career and Technical Education offers career-long services to Career and Technical Education (CTE) professionals throughout the seventeen counties that comprise the eastern region of PA. Its mission is to facilitate the professional development of all educators who work with career-bound students.
Joe started co-operative education in Bristol Township schools and made presentations to all of the area service organizations.
The Cooperative Education Program provides an opportunity for students to alternate semesters of academic study with semesters of paid, career-related, engaged-learning experience. A basic goal of this experiential-learning program is to help bridge the gap between academic study and its application in professional practice. Teeming with intellect, confidence and charisma, Joe has proven himself to be the main advocate to offer navigable paths and universal access to complete and competitive education.
In 1997, Joseph DeFranco was recognized in Harrisburg as Outstanding Post-secondary educator in the State of PA for his involvement in professional organizations, memberships and activities by the PA Department of Education.
Joe has been a wonderful resident, long-time educator and a brave veteran.
posted by BucksLocalNews at
1:51 PM
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