BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA — Joseph DeMarco had a lot of candles on his cake Friday – about 100 of them.
DeMarco was the guest of honor when Parx Casino and Bucks County officials hosted a surprise 100th birthday party at the Liberty Bell Beer Garden, featuring an escorted motorcade, family and friends, elected officials and awards, and a 100th birthday cake.
DeMarco was a Private First Class in the USMC and now lives at the Delaware Valley Veterans Home, 2701 Southampton Rd. in Philadelphia.
DeMarco, along with 12 of his fellow veterans, was escorted to the Parx Casino by Bensalem Highway Patrol motorcycles. Special guests included Bensalem Township Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo, U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and State Senator Frank Farry.
DeMarco grew up in South Philadelphia and considers it “the best place around.”
At age 17, he forged his parents’ signatures to join the U.S. Marine Corps in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
He was sent to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune for basic training. Eventually his father found him and brought him back, but he enlisted again six months later when he turned 18.
He completed basic training again at Camp Lejeune. DeMarco liked the Marines because he liked to fight and fought a lot when he was young. He was forced to fight (box) in the Marines.
DeMarco was aboard a ship that was originally headed for Guadalcanal but was diverted to the Panama Canal for fear of an Axis attack/bombing.
He was stationed on guard duty in Panama, where he was involved in a close encounter during a Japanese ambush that killed a Marine at his previous post.
After a few years in Panama, DeMarco was sent to Texas. He again boarded a ship bound for Guadalcanal. The ship was suddenly diverted to Panama, where he remained for about another year.
In the USMC, DeMarco was caught rolling dice and had to clean the entire barracks with a toothbrush.
After his discharge from the USMC, he returned to South Philadelphia, where he took a job as an ironer in a tailor shop. Together with friends, he sponsored weekly dances at the local club.
DeMarco was introduced to his wife by her friends. She had worked in the same tailor shop but did not know him until they met at a dance. They married but eventually separated. He had three children but sadly lost his son and a daughter. His only surviving daughter is Paula.
DeMarco worked in the clothing industry for many years. He also sold beer at Philadelphia Phillies games and worked as a waiter in the evenings. He loves Philadelphia sports, especially baseball and football. He likes to go to Atlantic City to play craps. He enjoys gambling (good or bad). He also loves the classic crooners (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, etc.).
