Charles P. Stolfo, 94, of S. Phila., longtime funeral director

Charles P. Stolfo, 94, of South Philadelphia, a longtime funeral director and retired supervisor for the Delaware River Port Authority, died Sunday, April 7, at the Deptford Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Mr. Stolfo, a licensed funeral director since 1940, opened the Stolfo Funeral Home on Broad Street near Shunk Street in 1956. The family funeral home, a fixture in the community, continues to operate.

"He was a role model for me," said his son, Paul C. Stolfo, the funeral home's current director.

Mr. Stolfo was known for helping with community projects, his son said. "If it was church or anything, he would give of his time, he would give his money, whatever he had to do."

Charles Paul Stolfo was born Nov. 10, 1918, in Philadelphia. He graduated from South Philadelphia High School.

In 1940, Mr. Stolfo graduated from the H.E. Dolan College of Embalming in Philadelphia. He then began working out of his home as a funeral director.

Mr. Stolfo was drafted into the Army in the early 1940s and was stationed in France during World War II. He received two Bronze Stars and earned the rank of master sergeant.

After being discharged in 1946, Mr. Stolfo returned to the funeral business.

A year later, he married Rita Nastri.

He was reactivated in the Army in 1951 and was stationed at Camp Stoneman near Pittsburg, Calif. He returned to Philadelphia a year later.

He opened the funeral home in 1956, operating it with his father, Charles.

Mr. Stolfo took a job as a toll taker for the Delaware River Port Authority in 1954. He worked for the agency until 1981, retiring as a supervisor in the toll division, his son said.

He retired from the funeral business in the late 1980s.

Mr. Stolfo, was a longtime member of St. Monica Roman Catholic Church at 17th and Bigler Streets.

In addition to his son, Mr. Stolfo is survived by a daughter, Anna Marie Stolfo; five granddaughters; two great-granddaughters; a brother; and a sister.

A viewing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, at the Stolfo Funeral Home, 2536 S. Broad St. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 11, at St. Monica Church, 2422 S. 17th St. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon.