MARK DEFRANCESCO
Mark DeFrancesco, 71, passed away peacefully on Friday 2/17/23. The loving husband of Maria M. (Giardi) DeFrancesco whom he shared 51 years of marriage. He was the son of the late Santo and Jeanne (Bouley) DeFrancesco.
Mark was a graduate of Salem High School class of 1969. He then went on to attend Bryant & Stratton Commercial School majoring in Marketing. Since he was a child, Mark exhibited a strong work ethic working in the fruit and produce industry alongside his family. As a young man he managed a familyowned retail store and worked at John DeFrancesco & Sons, the family fruit and produce wholesale distributor, founded in 1918.
Mark went on to open his own company, naming it 4M Fruit Distributors. The name standing for Mark, his wife Maria, and their two sons Michael and Matthew. 4M Fruit Distributors grew into and remains a prominent business in the New England Produce Center.
Mark’s grandchildren and great grandchild were the light of his life and always brought a smile to his face. In his free time, he enjoyed traveling with his wife. Mark could be found enjoying a game of Black Jack at Atlantic City and Mohegan Sun. He also had a love for live music and was an avid concert goer.
Mark is survived by his wife Maria, his sons Michael and his wife Teresa, Matthew and his wife Micheli. He is also survived by two brothers Brian DeFrancesco and his wife Denise, his brother, John DeFrancesco and his wife Jacqueline. Four grandchildren, Gianna DeFrancesco, Valentino DeFrancesco, Aiden DeFrancesco and Lucas Jaoquim. Also, one greatgrandchild, Julio Diaz. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews. Mark’s visiting hours will be held at the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St, Salem on Friday, February 24, 2023 from 4 pm to 8 pm. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Funeral services will be held privately at the request of the family. In Lieu of flowers, Mark was an avid supporter of N.F. Northeast (Neurofibromatosis) 9 Bedford St. Burlington, Ma 01803 and encourages donations there or to St. Jude’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.