Deiro M. Desmond

Deiro M. Desmond, 96, of King of Prussia, PA, passed away surrounded by family, on February 23, 2019, from heart disease. Deiro was born on August 6, 1922, to Nickolas Desmond and Filomena (DiBlasio) Desmond in Meyersdale, PA. He graduated as Valedictorian from Meyersdale Area High School, Class of 1941. Upon high school graduation, he joined the Civil Service Corps, working as an electrical technician, in Philadelphia, PA and various locations around the United States. In 1942, Deiro enlisted in the Navy and his service included a fast track through college at University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign, earning a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He taught many engineering courses for the Navy, with an honorable discharge as a Lieutenant (JG). In 1946, Deiro was accepted as a college professor at Texas A&M, College Station, TX. With a desire to move closer to his mother and family, he became a professor at the College of Engineering at Ohio State University in 1948. While at OSU, he completed his Master’s degree in electrical engineering and he began a courtship with a beautiful co-ed named Frances Josephine Spalla, who was working her way through OSU as a Faculty Club server. Frances thought Deiro was much too old for her, yet upon spending time together at the OSU Catholic Newman Center functions, Frances came to realize this young faculty professor was six months younger. They were married June 24th, 1950. In 1951, Deiro became a systems engineer at General Electric in Schenectady, New York. He earned his Professional Engineering license in 1958. He worked on numerous government projects with General Electric for 37 years, at Schenectady, NY, Endicott, NY, Newport News Langley Research Center, VA, and King of Prussia, PA. His role often included quality assurance, mathematical verifications, and compliance with standards responsibilities, as well as management of various engineering teams. He was instrumental as one of the key system analysts for the Viking Mission to Mars from 1971 through 1975. He, along with hundreds of other engineers, have their names engraved on a small plaque, which is attached to Viking 1, the first Mars exploratory lander, that rests on Mars today. In retirement, Deiro and Frances stayed active, dancing and singing at various festivals with a Philadelphia Italian cultural club called I Ballerini. Their time and devotion to Italian heritage, as well as a deep commitment to the Legion of Mary, at Mother Divine Providence Church, was inspiring to all who met them. Upon residence at Shannondell, Deiro joined the Shannondell Singers and looked forward to every practice and performance. As he as often stated, “When you sing, you cannot be sad.” He will forever be remembered as an honest, brilliant, responsible man who, even through a difficult youth, never complained and put family above all else. Deiro was predeceased by his parents, Nickolas and Filomena, his sister, Ermelinda, and his beloved wife, Frances (Spalla) Desmond, having been married for 58 years. Deiro is survived by four children: Daryl (Colleen) Desmond of Burlington, MA; David (Theresa) Desmond of Bridgeport, PA; Virginia (Carl) Pietruszka of Harleysville, PA; and Mary Kourakin of Mays Landing, NJ, as well as nine grandchildren: Shaun, Jason (Sarah), Amy, Angela, Karen (Paul), Stephen, Megan, Michelle (Joshua), and Austin; and two great- grandchildren, Sophia and Paul Anthony. He is survived by a beloved brother-in-law, Anthony J Spalla, as well as other loved relatives, Adeline Spalla, Shirley Spalla, and many nieces and nephews. Services will be at Mother of Divine Providence Church, 333 Allendale Rd. King of Prussia, PA, on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Viewing will be from 9:30-10:45 AM, with a Funeral Mass at 11 AM. Internment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Conshohocken, PA, with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Mother of Divine Providence Church Choir and Music Ministry, 333 Allendale Rd. King of Prussia, PA, 19406, or the Meyersdale Area School District Awards Fund, Deiro M. Desmond Advance Math Award Scholarship, c/o Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, 216 Franklin Street, Johnstown, PA 15901 www.cfalleghenies.org.