Sachem Teacher Matt 'Dezy' DiStefano Dies From Cancer At 42

Matt "Dezy" DiStefano, a Sachem High School North teacher and volleyball coach, has died from the cancer at the age of 42, the school district announced Monday.

"Mr. DiStefano’s spirit, strength, and message have had a huge impact on all of us in the Sachem community as well as across Long Island and around the world," Sachem Superintendent Kenneth Graham wrote in a letter to residents."His dedication to our students, families and community was admirable. He was a wonderful colleague who will be missed greatly, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and loved ones."

DiStefano, of Ronkonkoma, was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic kidney cancer last February.

"When people find out they have cancer, they think their life is over," DiStefano, a 1996 Sachem graduate, said after the diagnosis, according to a Sachem Report story. "For me it's different. For me it's the beginning of something special in life. A life in which I can help others change their way of mentally approaching the disease, learning to be a warrior, a fighter, and have hope."

DiStefano created the DezyStrong Foundation to help support others affected by cancer.

"He had a heart of gold and touched everyone he encountered," said Chris Caiozzo, DiStefano's former volleyball player who directed and produced "The Dezy Story," a documentary DiStefano speaks about his diagnosis and how it has led him to transform his life.

Tributes to DiStefano poured onto social media Monday. Mike Rizzo went to high school with DiStefano and said he spoke with him every week.

"You were everyone's Superman," Rizzo wrote on DiStefano's Facebook page. "You impacted not only my life, but everyone's life you crossed paths with. I'll never forget your smile your voice and the impact you had on others."

The school district will hold a remembrance celebration for DiStefano on the Sachem North football field at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Residents are invited to attend.