Paul J. DeStefano, 73, of Higganum, formerly longtime resident of Guilford, passed away in the Hospice Unit of Middlesex Hospital, Middletown, on Dec. 26. He was the beloved husband of Marianne Catania DeStefano. Paul was born in New Haven on Aug. 3, 1941, son of the late Louis and Anna DeFelice DeStefano.

He was the father of Jill DeStefano of Essex, Paul J. DeStefano, Jr., of Hamden, Amy DeStefano Brewer of North Haven, and Jessica (Derek) Torre of Higganum. He was the brother of Louis (Elaine) DeStefano of Hamden and Dolores (Robert) Kelly of Orange. He was also survived by two grandchildren, Emily Brewer and Benjamin Torre.

Mr. DeStefano had an extensive career in the reinsurance industry as assistant vice president, Hartford Insurance Group; vice president, SCOR Reinsurance, Co.; senior vice president, National Reinsurance Company; and senior vice president, General Reinsurance Company. In the early 2000s he started his own company, Prism Resources, specializing in the marketing and administrative needs of specialty insurance companies. Paul served as a two–term first selectman for the Town of Haddam from 2009-2013. Most recently, Paul joined Lyman Realty as a commercial real estate specialist. Mr. DeStefano wrote and published two books, Necessary Evil and Balance of Power, and was a graduate of Quinnipiac University.

Mr. DeStefano received an Honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States of America in May 1968.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. George Church, 33 Whitfield St., Guilford, on Dec. 30 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow Mass in All Saints Cemetery, 700 Middletown Ave., North Haven. Friends may call Dec. 29 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford. Memorial contributions may be made to Opportunity House, 66 October Hill Rd., Hamden, CT 06518. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.GuilfordFuneralHome.com.