Frank P. Difeo
March 7, 1952 ~ March 3, 2024 (age 71) 71 Years Old
Tribute
Frank P. Difeo, 71, of Bradford, MA, passed away unexpectedly at Massachusetts General Hospital on Sunday, March 3, 2024, just shy of his 72nd birthday. Born in Haverhill, MA, he was the son of the late Sabino and Lucy (Distefano) Difeo.
Frank spent his youth in Haverhill and Plaistow, NH, where he and his brothers were always tinkering with something (typically to make it louder and faster), or getting into trouble. He was a graduate of Haverhill Trade School where he honed his skills as a machinist. He enjoyed a successful 18-year career at Lucent Technologies while also operating his home shop, Difeo Machine.
His early retirement due to the company’s closing allowed Frank to focus on a new and niche hobby as an aluminum yo-yo manufacturer under the name Dif-e-yo. As many in the yo-yo community would say, Frank was a legend. He changed the game with his patented KonKave bearing. Frank’s spin on aluminum bearings and yo-yos brought yo-yo play to the next level as it allowed the thrower to maintain the speed and accuracy needed to perform complex tricks. Frank had recently started manufacturing a new series of yo-yos and was enjoying the response to this resurgence.
When not making yo-yos, Frank was usually spending time with his wife of nearly 50 years, Kathy (also a legend, but in the dance community). When the weather was nice they would enjoy afternoon rides in Frank’s Corvette or hang by their pool at home. In cooler weather they would fly down to Florida and live the snowbird life. Kathy and Frank adored each other. They had a truly unique dynamic that generated laughter and fun between them. Their lives were enriched by their two sons who were lucky to have inherited their father’s mechanical inclinations and wit. The loss of Frank is enormous. Frank’s mischievous grin can now only be seen in pictures. His wild back-in-the-day stories will now be told by others who had either the good fortune of hearing them or being there when it happened. Please continue to keep the memory of Frank alive.
Frank is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Miller) Difeo; his children, Derek Difeo of Haverhill, MA and Zachary Difeo and his partner Ashley McGonagle of Newfields, NH; and his brothers, Richard Difeo of Danville, NH and Mark Difeo and his wife Amy of Nottingham, NH. He also leaves behind much beloved extended family, friends, and yo-yo enthusiasts around the world.
At Frank’s request, all services will be private.
Frank spent his youth in Haverhill and Plaistow, NH, where he and his brothers were always tinkering with something (typically to make it louder and faster), or getting into trouble. He was a graduate of Haverhill Trade School where he honed his skills as a machinist. He enjoyed a successful 18-year career at Lucent Technologies while also operating his home shop, Difeo Machine.
His early retirement due to the company’s closing allowed Frank to focus on a new and niche hobby as an aluminum yo-yo manufacturer under the name Dif-e-yo. As many in the yo-yo community would say, Frank was a legend. He changed the game with his patented KonKave bearing. Frank’s spin on aluminum bearings and yo-yos brought yo-yo play to the next level as it allowed the thrower to maintain the speed and accuracy needed to perform complex tricks. Frank had recently started manufacturing a new series of yo-yos and was enjoying the response to this resurgence.
When not making yo-yos, Frank was usually spending time with his wife of nearly 50 years, Kathy (also a legend, but in the dance community). When the weather was nice they would enjoy afternoon rides in Frank’s Corvette or hang by their pool at home. In cooler weather they would fly down to Florida and live the snowbird life. Kathy and Frank adored each other. They had a truly unique dynamic that generated laughter and fun between them. Their lives were enriched by their two sons who were lucky to have inherited their father’s mechanical inclinations and wit. The loss of Frank is enormous. Frank’s mischievous grin can now only be seen in pictures. His wild back-in-the-day stories will now be told by others who had either the good fortune of hearing them or being there when it happened. Please continue to keep the memory of Frank alive.
Frank is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Miller) Difeo; his children, Derek Difeo of Haverhill, MA and Zachary Difeo and his partner Ashley McGonagle of Newfields, NH; and his brothers, Richard Difeo of Danville, NH and Mark Difeo and his wife Amy of Nottingham, NH. He also leaves behind much beloved extended family, friends, and yo-yo enthusiasts around the world.
At Frank’s request, all services will be private.
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