AKRON, OH -- Former Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. president Mario DiFederico, 86, died last week in Akron.

DiFederico died on November 8, in Akron from complications of Parkinson’s disease.

DiFederico graduated from the University of Akron in 1943 and attended the Sloan School of Management at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Upon graduation from MIT in 1947 he began a long career at The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. He was elected to the Firestone Board of Directors in 1970 and retired as President in 1979. He also served as a director of Dana Corporation for 25 years, from 1971 until 1996.

Active in community and civic affairs, DiFederico was a past trustee of the University of Akron and a Trustee of Akron City Hospital. He was a devoted parishioner of St. Hilary's in Akron and St. Christopher's in Hobe Sound. He was a founding member of the Sharon Golf Club and the Jupiter Hills Club and held memberships at Portage C.C., Loblolly Pines, Laurel Valley and the 200 Club.
DiFederico was the beloved husband of Jean DiFederico, to whom he was married for 58 years. In addition to his wife, Jean, he is survived by their three children, Nancy (Timothy) Joyce of Bedford, New York, Martha (Jay) Friedman of Dacula, Georgia, and Anthony (Mary) McNally of Stuart, Florida. He is also survived by his sister, Connie Percoco of Akron and eight cherished grandchildren: Timothy, Thayer, Sarah and Charles Joyce; Jason and Kimberly Friedman, and Michael and Lauren DiFederico. He was preceded in death by his brother, John, and his sister, Jennie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be sincerely appreciated and may be directed to either Hospice of the Visiting Nurse Service, 3358 Ridgewood Rd., Akron, OH 44333 or Hospice at Summa, 444 N. Main St., Akron, OH 44310.