Cover photo: Sachem Honors Matthew Dezy DiStefano with Street Renaming Ceremony (Credit – Sachem Central School District)
Photo credit – Sachem Central School District
It’s not every day a street gets renamed, especially to honor someone as impactful as Matthew “Dezy” DiStefano, but that’s exactly what happened Monday in Lake Ronkonkoma, where the intersection of Smith Road and Midland Boulevard was officially renamed “Matthew ‘Dezy’ DiStefano Way.” Five years after his passing, Dezy’s legacy is still alive and well, and this ceremony was a beautiful reminder of the person he was and the lasting impact he left on so many lives.
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Center Moriches) led the ceremony, and his words truly captured the essence of who Dezy was. He called the event a “lasting tribute to someone who exemplified care, compassion, and perseverance.”
“And let me tell you, that’s not just a bunch of fancy words—it’s the truth. If you knew Dezy, you knew he was the kind of person who didn’t just talk the talk but walked the walk every single day.”
For nineteen years, Dezy poured his heart into being a Special Education teacher and volleyball coach. He was the coach who believed in you, even when you didn’t believe in yourself. He had this incredible ability to make you feel like you could tackle anything. His mantra, “We Get To,” wasn’t just a catchy phrase – it was how he lived. It was his way of saying, “Yeah, life can be tough, but we’re lucky to be here, and we get to face challenges head-on.” That positivity was infectious. Whether on the volleyball court or in the classroom, he made everyone feel like they could conquer the world.
In 2020, kidney cancer took him from us, but even in his passing, Dezy didn’t really leave. Instead, his legacy grew even stronger through the Dezy Strong Foundation, the nonprofit he founded to support cancer patients. The foundation is more than just a charity, it’s a living testament to Dezy’s resilience. It provides both emotional and financial support to those fighting cancer, just as Dezy would have wanted. His widow, Jennifer DiStefano, put it best when she spoke at the ceremony: “It’s pretty amazing that he can still live on. His legacy is still here, and it’s an incredible accomplishment.”
When you attend an event hosted by the foundation or walk through the Sachem community, you can feel Dezy’s presence. It’s in the smiles of the people he helped, the strength of the cancer fighters, and those coming together to make a difference.
Kidney cancer is a disease that continues to affect so many families in Suffolk County. The latest stats show an age-adjusted incidence rate of 25.6 cases per 100,000 people in Suffolk County, with around 237 new cases diagnosed yearly. That’s a lot of people facing one of the most brutal battles out there. However, organizations like the Dezy Strong Foundation are stepping up and providing support where needed most.
The foundation is doing some fantastic work. They offer support programs that help cancer patients access life-affirming experiences. Then there’s the Play DezyStrong Program, which encourages local teams and organizations to participate in fundraising efforts. And, of course, the annual 5K run is one of the foundation’s biggest events. I’ve been to a few of these runs, and let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like the energy. It’s not about how fast you go, it’s about coming together for a common cause and making a real difference.
If you’re wondering how to help, there are plenty of ways. You can donate, participate in the 5K, or volunteer at one of their events. Every little bit makes a difference, and every dollar helps keep Dezy’s mission alive.
So, if you want to honor Dezy’s memory and make a tangible difference in the lives of cancer patients, consider supporting the Dezy Strong Foundation. It’s a way to strengthen his legacy of kindness, resilience, and positivity. To learn more or donate, visit www.dezystrongfoundation.org.
