Obituary of John DeMarco

John DeMarco, 73, of Coralville, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. John was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York where he graduated from The Brooklyn Academy (1964). He earned his undergraduate degree from West Virginia University (1968) and a master’s degree in Physical Education at the University of Iowa (1983). While at WVU, John was a member of the West Virginia Football Team. He was also a member of the TKE Fraternity on campus. After graduating from college, John returned to Brooklyn, New York where he worked at his Father’s fuel oil business, New Utrecht Fuel Oil. He decided to pursue a career that spoke to his true passion, teaching sports and fitness, and coaching Football. In 1970, he moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and became the Assistant Director of Recreation for the City of Pompano Beach. From 1972 - 1981 he taught Physical Education at Boca Raton High School and was the Assistant Football Coach. In 1977, John had the number one offense in Palm Beach and Broward counties. In 1978, as the Offensive Line Coach and Offensive Coordinator, he had the number one offense in the Suncoast Conference. John was proud to have been the quarterback Coach for Mark Richt, when the Boca Bobcats went all the way to the Florida State Championships! His overall record at Boca High was 49 wins, 18 loses and one tie. In 1981, John decided to take a leap of faith, and follow his sweetheart, Diane (Chapela) who had left Boca Raton to accept the position as Head Woman’s Gymnastics Coach at the University of Iowa. Diane and John were married in 1987. His first job in Iowa City was a part time teaching position at Regina Catholic High School. He eventually became the Head of the Physical Education Department for Regina High School. From 1981 to 1985, he was the Assistant Football Coach for the Regina Regals. In 1985, he achieved his longtime dream of becoming a Head Football Coach. He was Regina High’s Head Football Coach from 1985 - 1995. He also was the school’s Head Golf Team Coach from 1985-93. Whether Regina won or lost, John loved his players and his players loved him. They may not have been the biggest on the field, but his Regal football teams always had heart, spirit, and hustle, and they were exciting to watch! (Due to the Co-Vid19 pandemic, and nature of how things unfolded, specifics Regina stats were not accessible). John loved the family that was Regina High School. He felt it was a very special place and was honored to be a vital part of it. He loved being able to make a difference in the lives of his students at Regina. John is survived by his wife Diane, his sister Marie (Vito) Lupo, his brother Michael (Martha) DeMarco and his sister In-law, Linda Norris. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Jack and Sue Lupo, Rosann and Ken Muller, Linda and Oswaldo Rodriguez, Paul and Carla DeMarco, Frank and Alicia DeMarco, Maria and Chuck Beardsley, Kelly Wilkes, and 15 grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his Mother and Father, Rose and Paul DeMarco. The DeMarco family would like to extend deepest thanks to the Doctors, Nurses and Support Staffs at both Mercy Iowa City, and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. For all that gave undaunted efforts to sustain him while his body fought hard to overcome the Co-Vid19 Virus, we are supremely grateful. A Celebration of Life and Memorial fund will be established in John DeMarco’s honor and announced at a later date. Please share a thought, memory, or condolence with John’s family in the space provided at the top of the page.