Thomas Marshall Demgen

1948 - 2014

Dec. 14, 1948 - July 8, 2014

Thomas Marshall Demgen slipped from his earthbound, cancer ravaged body to the hereafter at 5 a.m., on July 8. Born in Superior, Wisconsin on Dec. 14, 1948 to John Linus Demgen and Madge Marshall Demgen, Tom was the third of four children and destined to be a Green Bay Packer fan for life. Tom went through elementary and high school in Omaha where his family moved in the early 1950s. Tom graduated from Northbrook High School in Northbrook, Illinois in 1967 and received his AA degree from Solano Community College in Association with completing the Mare Island Apprenticeship Program in 1982.

Tom was the original Mr. Fix-it, teaching himself everything from carpentry to Volkswagon repair by reading manuals and experimentation. Tom and Francesca, his wife of 38 years, arrived in Vallejo in 1976 and Tom dedicated his early years in town to restoring a 1903 redwood-framed house for his growing family. His intellect, ingenuity, and natural inclination toward details were traits that stood him in good stead for his career as a Mare Island Shop 11 Shipfitter. The two projects he was most proud of were constructing the titanium hulled DSV-4 (Deep Submergence Vehicle, capable of diving 20,000 feet into the ocean and being the lead mechanic on the USS Parche 100-foot retrofit from 1987 to 1991.

As important and gratifying as his job at Mare Island was, Tom's family took first place in his heart and attention. The birth of his two daughters, Marina Starr and Rachel Anna multiplied the joy in his life and although he sometimes pretended to complain about being out numbered by women, in truth he wouldn't have had it any other way. He actively supported Campfire, Vallejo Youth Conservatory, Meals on Wheels of Solano County and he delivered food for the St. Vincent DePaul Society. He enjoyed trying new foods and especially enjoyed the craft beer revolution, trying his own hand at brewing. Tom cultivated tolerance and cultural understanding and gave the gift of travel to his family; he visited 48 states and 28 countries.

Tom is survived by his wife, Francesca Demgen; daughters, Marina, Rachel and grandkids. Landon, Gabriella and Allison; brother, John and sister-in-law, Joan Demgen; sister, Katharine Demgen; nieces, Jennifer (Tom) Flint, Megan (Scott) Smith, Liz (Chip) Lyles and great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, John Demgen; mother, Madge Marshall and sister, Lee Demgen Harris.

Tom valued education and donations may be made to a school of your choice or to support his goal of helping his grandchildren attain a college education. Donations to the grandchildren's college fund may be made in the name of Thomas Demgen Memorial Fund to Wells Fargo Bank, account # 6429754614.

The celebration of Tom's life will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday July 18, beginning with a Mass at St. Peter's Chapel located at 1181 Walnut Ave., Mare Island, Vallejo, followed by a reception at the Mare Island Museum located at 1100 Railroad Ave.