Angelo DeMio

1921 - 2020

Angelo J. DeMio, 99, of Wethersfield, Connecticut, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 16, with his wife Vivian and family by his side. Born in Norwalk, October 27, 1921 to Valentine & Louise (D'Alessio) DeMio, Mr. DeMio was known as respected community leader, journalist and, later an incredibly successful pioneer in multi association management, which earned him national recognition in a multitude of vital functions benefitting millions. Among them: Politics and government, national defense and veteran affairs, prison reform, athletics, including Ten Pin Bowling, and Trinity college sports, transportation, the health professions under Medicare and Medicaid and, among still others, the tobacco, candy food and sundry trades. Angelo was a Veteran of World War II, serving 28 months in U.S., France, Germany & Czechoslovakia, and fought with the 778th Tank Bn., in Patton's 3d Army. He was founder of Tankers Tabloid, an award-winning daily originated in Czechoslovakia, and was correspondent, and later News Editor of the Army Newspaper Stars & Stripes, Paris & Frankfurt. Angelo married Vivian Kilbourne, in 1949 a descendant of families that were founders and early settlers of Wethersfield, CT and Concord, MA. He is survived by their three sons; Alan DeMio of West Palm Beach, FL, Douglas DeMio and Partner Susan Melloon of Westbrook, CT and Richard and Cathy (Moffie) DeMio of Simsbury, CT, eight grandchildren: Robert Grande, Kate Dulin, Devon Lamere, Derek DeMio, Jenna Carcia, Lauren Ambrosie, Michael and Angelo DeMio and seven great grandchildren: Robby and Joey Grande, Maximillian and Alexander Dulin, Julian Lamere, Guliana Carcia, Luca Ambrosie, his sister Madeline Borgia and predeceased sister Carol Lippa and brother Chester DeMio. He also leaves Nancy and Albert Valickis, a sister and brother-in-law. Post War, Ang's coverage of the New Haven RR's complex emergence from bankruptcy attracted the attention of its new president, Frederic C. Dumaine, Sr., who delayed both a press conference and a meeting of his Board of Directors to learn first-hand Ang's proposals for beefing up the RR's branch line operations. A plan the Dumaines invested millions to implement. Ang began his consulting firm in 1951, with three top figures; Gov. Chester Bowles for some remedial PR in his successful bid for appointment as Ambassador to India, while State Chairman John Bailey called for "Help re-building the Democratic Party" after its heavy 1950 losses. The 1953 Hartford Municipal election 8-1 landslide, in which Ang had a key role as the party's State PR Director, followed a year later by Abe Ribicoff's election as governor, created a political dynasty that lasted decades. The 3rd notable was Henry T. Pinchera, top Commander for the Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). A 35-year appointment. Another early client Joseph Morelli was re-elected, also by a landslide, presiding at a series of bipartisan chief executive meetings that expended unemployment benefits, and established a new concept of lobbying by Municipal Leaders. Ang later served as Morelli's Chief of Staff, where he played a significant role changing the Berlin Turnpike from and accident-prone stretch of I-15 known as Death Alley, to the multi-billion-dollar commercial corridor of today. He also helped restore expiration dating to all dairy products, and made Connecticut Ten Pin Bowling lanes the first the first state to earn NCAA endorsement to school bowling leagues. In the mid-70's the Senate three top leaders described Ang as "one of the most respected effective and influential government relations experts in a field of 500 dominated by lawyers, in a national news network." House majority leader Carl Ajello agreed, calling him "A political and government Guru. Atty. Lewis Fox, president of the Connecticut Prison Association added "Everything you touch seems to flourish." After hearing of Ang's appointment as National Chairman of Public Relations for the then 300 million member VFW and co-chairman of its annual congressional dinner featuring NATO Commander in Chief Alfred Grunther. Both Fox and Ang were involved in significant prison legislation including the rare concept of accelerated rehabilitation, which has spared tens of thousands of non-violent offenders from imprisonment Other successful legislation, involving health providers gearing for inclusion under federal programs included: The Connecticut Podiatry Association which named Ang its "Man of the Decade" for changing both its image and fortunes. His work in Public and Government Relations for Nursing Homes and many of its professionals pre-dated National Medicare standards by a decade. Ang's leadership above all was recognized by the Social Security Administration which urged the other 49 states to follow Connecticut's lead. Ang's interesting interactions with national leaders including several presidents, Gen. Grunther and Joe Robbie, managing owner of the Miami Dolphins, celebrities of stage and screen and life in the 20th Century America are included in his book "From Beyond the Shadows" available in numerous area libraries, colleges and historical societies. In Wethersfield, where the DeMio family has resided since 1950, Ang continued his lifelong interest in community services, including the Town Council, the Board of Tax Review, and as a director of both the South Central YMCA and Newington Children's Hospital. Ang was a doting family man who loved spending time with his friends and family, as members of Pine Acres, the Indian Hill Golf Club and summers at Grove Beach, where he served as president/warden of the Westbrook borough, and later at West Beach. The DeMio family would like to thank the staff at Suffield House nursing home, for the exemplary care given to Angelo during his stay at the home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. at Christ the King Parish (Corpus Christi Church), 601 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield. Burial will immediately follow at Village Cemetery in Old Wethersfield. COVID guidelines will be followed, masks and social distancing required. The funeral arrangements have been entrusted with the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel of Wethersfield. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit wwwdesopofuneralchapel.com.