Donald “Don” DeMarco, 83, of Sandy Hook, died peacefully at Danbury Hospital, September 20. He was born June 24, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York, the youngest child of Patrick and Florence (Klein) DeMarco.
Don was predeceased by his beloved wife, Marie “Bunny” DeMarco in 2009. Married July 12, 1958 at St. Saviour Roman Catholic Church in Park Slope, Brooklyn, they were at each other’s side for almost 51 years.
Brooklyn was Don’s childhood home where he attended St. Saviour Catholic School, he graduated from Regis High School in Manhattan, and went on to graduate from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. His 60th Class Reunion is scheduled next month.
He was an avid sports fan, attending many Brooklyn Dodgers games at Ebbet’s Field and later Mets games at Shea Stadium. He played varsity baseball and basketball in school and remained a lifelong fan. While a football Giants fan, he introduced the Jets to his children some of whom passed that love to their own children. He was also an original season ticketholder of the New York Islanders, played golf as often as he could and was an avid tennis player.
Don worked at IBM for 30 years as a systems engineer attaining senior management stature. He mentored many future leaders of the company in his 30 years and relocated both within the US and to Europe over his time with the company. He was part of a team from IBM which helped send the Apollo mission to the moon, several Presidential elections, and the annual Jerry Lewis Telethon. He also taught programming at NYU in the early 1960s.
He was a 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus, most recently with the Council at St. Rose of Lima. He enjoyed the brotherhood of his fellow Knights and to serving the community. In retirement, he actively volunteered in other ways around his community and enjoyed the company of his many friends.
Don and Bunny were loving parents to five children, thirteen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. They are survived by children Donna DeMarco (Sandy Hook), Donald DeMarco (Raleigh, NC), Susanne Brown and husband, Matthew (Jackson, NJ), Lisa Green and husband, Brekke (Lake Ariel, PA), and Jean Milano and husband, Thomas (Sandy Hook). He was PopPop to grandchildren Colin Brown, Genevieve Green, Kathryn Green (and fiancé’ Nicholas Sartori), Maggie Dittmar (and husband Peter), Kathleen Duno (and husband Robert), Emily DeMarco, Andrew Green, Gabrielle Milano, Connor Brown, Michael Green, Patrick Milano, Megan Milano and Jillian Milano, and great-grandchildren Zachary Brown, Christopher, Jason and Adriana Duno.
Heartfelt thanks to the nurses, doctors and CNAs at Danbury Hospital, the caring team at Hancock Hall, the aides and nurses from New England Home Care, the EMTs of the Newtown Ambulance Corps, the EMTs of Danbury Ambulance, and the excellent team at Davita Dialysis in Danbury, Connecticut.
The family will receive visitors Sunday, September 25, at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, between the hours of 2 pm and 5 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT at 10 am Monday, September 26. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Mr. DeMarco’s name to St. Rose of Lima Church. Condolences may be made online at www.honanfuneralhome.com.

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