MILLIS: John Glen DeFiore, age 72, a popular area musician and Millis resident for the past 32 years, died on Friday, January 30, 2015, at the UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester after a brief illness. He was the devoted husband of Margaret (Lynch) DeFiore.
Born in Malden, he was the only child of the late John and Mary (DeFalco) DeFiore. John spent his early years in Brooklyn, New York, until his family settled in Natick. After graduating Natick High School in 1960, he continued his education at the Berklee School of Music, now Berklee College of Music, in Boston.
John and Margaret married in 1963, and made a home for their growing family in Natick. John started a music shop in Natick called Solid Gold and started a band by the same name. Long after the store’s time in Natick had passed, the band had a dedicated fan base and Solid Gold was drawing local crowds at any venue they played.
Since the time of its inception, John has been an integral member of the team at Plainridge Racetrack in Plainville. Employed as a mutual manager and customer service rep, he was most proud to sing our National Anthem at the start of each of the track’s events. He met and introduced many persons to the crowds over the years, but the ones who touched him the most were our service men and women and their families. They always merited his warmest welcome most enthusiastic introductions.
He is survived by his wife Margaret, their son and daughter, John DeFiore of Tampa, FL, and Theresa DeFiore Woodford and her husband Alan of Dudley; two grandsons, Matthew and Justin Bond of Dudley; and many cousins and friends.
Visit hours will be at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, Thursday, Feb. 5th 5 – 8PM. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in John’s memory to The Wounded Warrior Project, 150 Cambridge Park Drive, Suite 202 Cambridge, MA 02140. They may be reached at (617) 588-4000. www.woundedwarriorproject.org.