Joliet man celebrates his 100th birthday
July 6, 2012 12:34PM
Theodore Paul DeMarco of Joliet celebrates his 100th birthday. He was born June 19, 1912 in Pueblo, Colo. | photo courtesly Remus Photography
Updated: August 9, 2012 6:18AM
JOLIET — Theodore Paul DeMarco, a resident of Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, celebrated his 100th birthday recently.
DeMarco was born in Pueblo, Colo., on June 19, 1912, to Mary Bambina and Rocco Ciccodemarco of Caramanico, Italy. He came to Joliet when he was 11 years old.
He served as an altar boy at St. Anthony Church and attended Central School. While attending JTHS, he was a member of the 1930-31 championship lightweight basketball team.
DeMarco retired from U.S. Steel after 36 years and has been retired for 38 years.
He was married for 52 years to Dodie (Harriet Donick), who died in 1989.
He has two daughters, Gloria of Montana and Nikki (Art) Hrvatin, 10 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
DeMarco enjoyed fishing trips to Wisconsin with his wife, reading and sports. Son-in-law Art Hrvatin is amazed by DeMarco’s memory of sports heroes and Joliet History.
He attended morning Mass at OLA for almost 14 years.
DeMarco attributes his longevity to good living, good genes from his parents and a gift from God.
