DeMarco a "true gentleman"

BY SABRINA BYRNES

The City of Greater Sudbury has suffered the loss of a community sports icon with the passing of Tony DeMarco, founder of DeMarco Bros. Sporting Goods, Aug. 2. "Big loss," said Joe Drago, a long-time friend of DeMarco. "He was an icon as a sportsman and also as a community minded citizen."

DeMarco was born Jan.1, 1913, in North Bay. He attended North Bay Collegiate and later the University of Toronto where he won the intercollegiate boxing championship in 1934. He also attended Assumption College in Windsor and the University of Detroit where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering.

After working at INCO from 1939 to 1946, he and his brothers Dominic and John opened up DeMarco Bros.
Sporting Goods, which was family run until recently. "He was an all around super athlete," said Drago, and listed the many sports in which DeMarco was involved.

DeMarco was one of the founding fathers of the Sudbury Minor Hockey League, chairman of the Sudbury Recreation Committee for 13 years and Commissioner of the N.O.P.H.A. (now N.O.H.A.) for 14 years. He received two awards, one from the Department of Education of Ontario and one from the province of Ontario for his many contributions to amateur sports in Sudbury. He was inducted into the Kinsman Sports Hall of Fame in 1978 and the North Bay Hall of Fame in 1984.

"When I first met him, I was a young kid going to DeMarco's to buy equipment. (Then I) Got very much involved with him when I was involved with the Sudbury Wolves," said Drago reminiscing. Drago was involved with the Sudbury Wolves for 17 years starting as the Director of Operations then moving up to General Manager and President to part owner. He recalled his first experience with minor hockey where DeMarco was quick to lend a helping hand.

"My first teaching job in Sturgeon Falls I was president of minor hockey and really knew very little about minor hockey. I came right out of University and got roped into taking this job. So I called Tony and he came down for a weekend and helped me develop a skills camp and worked with young kids. Then he helped me get uniforms through his connections with DeMarco's, so that every kid playing minor hockey in Sturgeon had a sweater and a pair of socks."

"I always had fond memories of him," said Drago. "One of the nicest people that you'd ever want to meet. He was just a true gentleman."

The family has set up an Anthony DeMarco Bursary to put money back into hockey for kids that can't afford to play. Donations can be made at www.lougheed.org .