Anthony J. DeMarco (Tony) , 100 years old, passed away peacefully in his sleep, April 16, 2026 Tony was born September 2, 1925 in Cedarbrook, New Jersey . His parents migrated from Italy in 1908. His father (Florindo) served in WWI and died at a early age from black lung disease from working in the coal mines of Tamaqua Pennsylvania. 

Anthony grew up with 8 siblings and In 1939 Anthony’s mother (Assunda) decided to send the two youngest Anthony and his younger sister Julie to Soldier’s Industrial Orphan School, located in Scotland, PA established after the civil war for children of deceased Veterans. He graduated from there and immediately signed up for the Marine Corps. He served honorably in WWII and saw combat as a 60mm mortarman, on the islands of Saipan and Tinian . 

After the war was over Tony returned to Philadelphia and soon courted and married Dorothy Louise Stumbaugh since they had been pen pals while he was overseas. He married Dorothy in June 1947. They started a family together while Tony was attending Eastern Bible College in Valley Forge, Pa., where he graduated and began pastoring in central Pennsylvania. He founded the church Calvary Temple in York,Pa and Dorothy and Anthony had 5 children at that time and began a new career as a school teacher in Philadelphia,Pa. Tony began attending Temple University graduating with Magna Cum Laude status with his masters degree and eventually went on to earn a doctorate degree in Urban Education and became an administrative assistant and Vice principal at John Welsh Elementary, where he shared his passion for teaching and reaching thousands of children over the years. 

Tony retired and they both decided to move to California to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They ended up in Santa Maria,Ca and it was there he attended Assemblies of God church in Santa Maria and was involved in the Assemblies of God Central Coast chapter and filled in on several occasions for pastors in that area and even helped start an Assemblies of God church and K-9 school in Arroyo Grande,Ca . 

In June of 1998, Anthony lost his beloved wife Dorothy, after 51 years of marriage. Tony was then appointed the National Chaplain for the entire 2nd Marine division SMDA. His duties included traveling all over the country for ceremonies of the 2nd Marine division as their chaplain and presenting several speeches, sermons and prayers. It was from these sermons Tony decided to use these sermons and prayers to write his first book. At the age of 90 he decided to travel less and concentrate on writing. Since then, Tony has published 3 more books on (the same) similar topics and enjoyed his “free” time doing puzzles gardening and watching Lawrence welk variety show with his lovely partner Cecilia (Ceil) Enyon living in Clermont, FL.

Tony is survived by his five (5) children Anthony Jr., Frances (Angie) DeMarco Secrest, Dennis, Stephen, and David. His sister Julie, ten (10) grandchildren and two (17) great grandchildren and two (2)great great grandchildren

Funeral Services will be held Monday, April 27, 2026, 1pm, at Living Hope Church in Clermont. Interment with Military Honors will be held Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 12:30pm, at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery.

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