Delco re:View Fall 2018 - 30

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May we long remember
WHEREAS, Guy G. deFuria, our distinguished colleague,
died on October 10, 1998, and WHEREAS, it is the tradition
of the Delaware County Bar Association to convene a meeting
to memorialize the life and recognize the passing of our fellow
members, we meet today to honor Guy and the meaning of his life
to his community, our honorable profession and ourselves as his
beneficiaries.
The young Guy deFuria, who, at the time, was married and a
father, often recounted the difficulties he encountered in securing
the requisite experience. Both Mr. McGovern and Guy worked in
that office. Guy began his career by preparing civil law and trial
briefs as an assistant to his friend Clem. During that time, Guy
built a small private practice of his own. His family was very wellknown in the Italian section of Chester. This set his foundation
of business. Guy's notes reflect that he charged $10.00 for a will
and $7.50 to prepare a deed in those days. At the time, the Bar
Association was composed of approximately seventy members. He
fondly recalled Friday Motion Court as the "event of the week."
In 1931, Guy was appointed Indictment Clerk. He assisted
the members of the District Attorney's office in preparing
criminal indictments for presentation to the Grand Jury. In 1933,
McClenachan rewarded his diligence by appointing Guy to fill a
vacancy in the DA's office. In 1990, Guy authored a book "Three
for One" which contains his reminiscences of those trials. Guy
enjoyed his thirteen years in the DA's office. His accomplishments
were noted as he rose through the ranks from assistant to First
Assistant and then finally as acting District Attorney.
In 1942, Guy and William R. Toal (Judge Toal's father),
created a press sensation when they prosecuted John J. McClure,
the pre-eminent Republican power broker in Delaware County,
in what became known as the "Water Company Case." Guy
assumed that his decision to pursue the prosecution would end his
political career. Indeed, he was defeated in his bid to be elected as
Delaware County District Attorney. However, some years later, at
the request of his brother Joe (later Judge Joseph W. deFuria) and
others, Guy made peace with the Delaware County Republican
organization.

30 | Fall 2018

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Delco re:View Fall 2018

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