Ernest Nicholas "Ernie" Demarchi

Demarchi, Ernest Nicholas "Ernie" (64)
passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2003, due to complications of cancer. Ernie was born in a farmhouse in Lafferty, Ohio. He grew up in Cleveland, and earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering at Ohio State. He starred on the Varsity Gymnastics Team, finishing as Co-Captain in his senior year. In 1960 he married Carolyn Tracz. North American Aviation hired him right out of college in 1962, and he moved to California. He worked on the Apollo program, designing electrical systems and providing mission support for every Apollo flight. He was in Houston during the Apollo 13 calamity, working around the clock to bring our astronauts home. Ernie earned his MA in Systems Engineering from UCLA. He was honored with the coveted Apollo Astronaut Snoopy Award. He transferred to the Space Shuttle Program in 1974, where he advanced through various management positions over the next 12 years. He received a Shuttle Snoopy Award in 1982. In 1986 he moved to the "Star Wars" programs, where he was a Chief Engineer and a Program Manager. He has been listed in the Marquis "Who's Who in the World" since 1992. In 1996 he married Sheri Ullman. He concluded his distinguished career of 40 years when he retired from Boeing in 2002. In spite of the demands of his career, he was deeply involved in the lives of his three children. Not only did he videotape all of their football and soccer games, he was also President of the Little League. He served as Chief of Indian Guides, becoming an officer of the entire Nation, and was actively involved in Indian Princesses. In recent years, he and Sheri have traveled extensively, enjoying Alaska, Italy, Turkey, Israel and Hawaii. He learned to ski when he was 58, and conquered the slopes at Alyeska, Big Sky and Breckenridge. He is survived by his wife, Sheri; his first wife, Carolyn; sons John and Dan and daughter Deborah; grandkids Megan, Katrice, Michael and Jayde; his mother Lena; brothers Jim, Bob and Dave and sister Linda. Ernie will be fondly remembered by all those whose lives he touched and will truly be missed. Friends and family are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at St. Kilian Catholic Church in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, July 2, 2003 at 1:00 PM. The Mass will be followed by a graveside service at Ascension Cemetery in Lake Forest, and a buffet to celebrate Ernie's life at his home in Orange. Assisting the family is O'Connor Laguna Hills Mortuary at (949)581-4300. Donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society.