Obituary of Reverend Peter A. DeMarco

Reverend Peter A. DeMarco, 80, a retired priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport, died on Monday, July 20, 2015. Father DeMarco was born in Bridgeport on November 8,1934. He was the son of Peter and Diane Verrilli DeMarco. He graduated from Fairfield Prep and Fairfield University. In 1956 Fr. DeMarco entered St. Mary's Seminary in Roland Park Baltimore, Maryland, and was ordained to the Priesthood May 21, 1960 by Bishop Lawrence Shehan in St. Augustine's Cathedral and celebrated his first Mass at Holy Rosary in Bridgeport where he had been baptized. His parish ministry was served in eight parishes: St. Rose, Newtown, Sacred Heart, Stamford, St. Raphael, Bridgeport, Holy Family, Fairfield, St. Mary's, Bethel, where he was Pastor (1974-1986), St. Charles, Bridgeport, St. Theresa, Trumbull, St. Catherine of Siena, Trumbull, until his retirement to Queen of the Clergy Residence in 2006. Fr. DeMarco was the first Diocesan Director of Special Education, and Spiritual Director of the Catholic Deaf for 25 years. Upon his leave from St. Mary, Bethel, he was asked to be Spiritual Director for the Diocesan Cursillo Movement. These were eight happy years with wonderful highly-motivated Christian men and women. Since 1989 he was active in contemplative ministry, co-editing the national newsletter and National Co-coordinator of the United States World Community for Christian Meditation. In his retirement he enjoyed more time for prayer, reading, camaraderie with the retired priests, and assisting nearby parishes. The final seven weeks of his life were spent at Middlebrook Farms in Trumbull. In addition to his parents, Fr. DeMarco was predeceased by his brother, Daniel DeMarco and his brother-in-law, Angelo Memoli. He is survived by his sister, Lucille Memoli, of Trumbull and his sister-in-law, Lucille DeMarco, of Stratford. He is also survived by his nephews and nieces: Paul Memoli and David Memoli of Bridgeport, Mark Memoli of Trumbull, Mary (Memoli) Gilbertson of Trumbull, John Memoli of Alpharetta, GA, Peter DeMarco of Stratford and Suzanne (DeMarco) Copp and her husband, Charles of Newtown. A wake for Father DeMarco will be held at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull on Sunday, July 26, 2015 from 2-6 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial meeting directly in church will be celebrated on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Theresa Parish, 5301 Main Street, Trumbull. Father Joseph Marcello, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull will be the principal celebrant. Msgr. Nicholas Grieco will give the homily. Burial will follow in the family gravesite in St. Michael Cemetery in Stratford.