Joseph DeStefano, a native of Pennsylvania, was born March 14, 1924 in Altoona where he was also raised. He earned his B.A. degree at Catholic University and his degree in theology at St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee. He was ordained in 1952. He later earned his master’s degree at UW Whitewater and completed work on a further degree in philosophy at Marquette University. He served two parishes, one at Fort Atkinson and a second one at Platteville before coming to St. Paul’s Catholic Church in January of 1960. When he came here as pastor of the only Catholic church in the community without boundaries, he never dreamed he would be here for the 1985 celebration of the church’s 72^nd anniversary and his silver anniversary as pastor of St. Paul’s. Father DeStefano said he was “cemented” here when he started teaching at Beloit Catholic High School and the Newman Center was opened.

Known widely as an energetic pastor, Father DeStefano was noticed for his ecumenicity. One of the lasting results of his ecumenical efforts is the annual dinner in which women of St. Paul Lutheran, St. Paul Episcopal and St Paul Catholic church’s take part.  He also built on the St. Paul’s spaghetti dinner benefit tradition which started with 200 being served in the church basement and now attracts more than 1,300 people to Beloit Catholic High School. Father DeStefano’s church became a mixture of cultures during his years of service. It also became known for its generosity in the community. Father DeStefano was known as a man who kept learning as evidenced by his years of formal learning and his personal library of 3,000 volumes, mostly American and European history, philosophy and theology. He was a member of the Beloit Catholic High School Board of Directors. His commitment led to the establishment of the St. Paul Foundation for Beloit Catholic High School.

He served on the Human Relations Commission three years and was a civil defense commissioner for two years. He worked on United Givers campaigns and was a past chaplain of the Knights of Columbus and the Elks. He served on the Board of Directors of the Beloit-Rock South Unit of the American Cancer Society. His death came after a long battle with cancer in his home town, Altoona, Pennsylvania on May 13, 1988 while visiting with friends and family.

It is a distinct privilege to place the name of Father Joseph DeStefano for enshrinement into the Beloit Hall of Fame.