AKRON (Nov. 13, 2007) — Mario A. DiFederico, retired president and director of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. who spent 32 years with the tire maker, died Nov. 8 in Akron of complications from Parkinson´s disease. He was 86.
DiFederico joined Firestone in 1947 and spent his entire career at the company. He was elected a director in 1970 and was president when he retired in 1979. He also was a director of Dana Corp. for 25 years, until 1996.
An Akron native, he graduated from the University of Akron with an engineering degree, and then earned a master´s in business administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He lived in Akron and Hobe Sound, Fla.
DiFederico had served as a past trustee of the University of Akron, and a trustee of Akron City Hospital. He was a founding member of the Sharon Golf Club and the Jupiter Hills Club and held memberships at Portage Country Club, Loblolly Pines, Laurel Valley and the 200 Club.
In addition to his wife, Jean, he is survived by their children, Nancy Joyce of Bedford, N.Y.; Martha Friedman of Dacula, Ga.; and Anthony McNally of Stuart, Fla. He is also survived by his sister, Connie Percoco of Akron and eight grandchildren.