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Lacerenza-Macari Family Funeral Home

8 Schuyler Avenue

Stamford, Connecticut

Nicholas DeMaio Obituary

Nicholas M. DeMaio Jr. (Jay) 84, passed away peacefully at home on December 6, 2015 after a four-month battle with cancer. Nick was born in Stamford on September 14, 1931 to the late Mary (Abate) DeMaio and Nicholas M. DeMaio Sr. Growing up in Stamford’s historic west side, Nick maintained strong roots there, later becoming a 57 year resident of Darien. After graduating from J.M. Wright Technical High School in 1948, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies baseball organization. He went on to play minor league baseball for several years, including the K.O.M. league based in Commerce, Oklahoma. Nick joined the Armed Forces during the Korean War and continued to play baseball for the U.S. Army team. At the conclusion of his service, he continued his 50 year career in printing at Communications Corporation in Stamford where he was plant manager. Nick married the love of his life, Molly, in 1956 and moved to Darien in 1958. He was a longtime member and former president of the Piedmont Club in Darien, as well as a proud member of the Stillwater Indians baseball organization. Apart from his family, Nick’s greatest legacy is in country music. Nick was known to his legions of fans as “the Ambassador of Country Music”, and as a respected vocalist and authoritarian of this genre. He was a member of “The Country Singing Pals” for 17 years before joining his sons in the band “Gunsmoke” for the past 23 years. Nick was widely known in the country music and western swing communities from Connecticut to Nashville, forming relationships and performing with country legends such as Ray Price, Hank Thompson, and Hank Williams Jr. Nick was proud to have performed for both President George H. and President George W. Bush during their campaign tours. Yet above all of his career highlights, Nick had no greater joy than sharing the stage with the three generations of family in “Gunsmoke.” He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Michael DeMaio and his wife Margaret (Molly) DeMaio of 54 years. He is survived by his loving sons, Nicholas M. DeMaio III and his wife Marilyn of Darien; Jeffrey DeMaio and his wife Margaret of Darien, as well as his four devoted grandchildren, Nicholas DeMaio IV, Christina DeMaio, Jessica DeMaio and Rebecca DeMaio. He is also survived by his sister in laws, Etta Guarino of Darien, Lois Guarino of Fairfield, and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 11, 2015 at 10:30 at St. John’s Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien, CT. Entombment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, Darien, CT. Relatives and friends may call at the Lacerenza Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 8 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford, CT on Thursday, December 10, 2015 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 2151, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38101-2151 To leave a condolence visit www.lacerenzafuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Hour on Dec. 9, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Nicholas DeMaio

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Pam & Pat Booska

December 16, 2015

Country thoughts and prayers are with Nick, Jeff and all the Gunsmoke family.

Tom Conti

December 11, 2015

Real friendship lasts a lifetime. I met Nick in the fifties and we have been friends since then. He will be missed, but always remembered fondly.

Charlotte Ferrara

December 11, 2015

Prayers and love going out to the family. Uncle Nick holds a very special place in my heart.

Tina & David Bellet

December 10, 2015

He brought such wonderful music, humor and smiles to our family and friends. We will miss him deeply. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy, family and band. Happy trails.....

Oakie and Vicky O'Connor

December 9, 2015

Dear Chrissy, Nick and Family - We are sad to hear of the passing of your beloved Grandpa. How blessed he was to have his family of singers and how blessed all of you are to have had the same with him. May you all be comforted with the love of family and friends.

December 9, 2015

To nick's family we are very sorry to hear of your fathers passing he was a great guy proud to have known him God bless him and your family Dom & Doris Viesta

December 9, 2015

It is with a heavy heart and moist eyes that I must say a final farewell to a wonderful man; a good friend whom I've admired for over 20 years. Nick, I hope that once you become settled "up there", you'll get together with Ray Price, Jimmy Dickens, and Patsy Cline, to form a "Heavenly Country" group.
RIP
Kurt Zimbler

Lisa May Melfi

December 9, 2015

May God comfort you all during the difficult days ahead.

He will truly be missed.

December 9, 2015

Dear Jay,
You have always been our beloved older cousin and we will miss you greatly. Be at peace and at home with Molly again and all the rest of our family.
Love and deepest sympathy to your children and grandchildren. Frances Ann

Thomas and Janette Ferrara

December 9, 2015

Our deepest sympathies to the family. Uncle Nick was *One of a Kind*. The wonderful memories he left in our hearts will keep him with us forever-
Those we love and lose are always connected by heartstrings into infinity.
God Bless and Rip-
Forever in Our Hearts-
Tommy and Jan

December 9, 2015

Thank you for your service to our country.
A grateful American

Bonnie Margolis

December 9, 2015

I am just another face in the crowd who has felt very fortunate indeed to have been amongst those in attendance at your concerts. I will never forget seeing all three generations of you onstage this past summer at The Levitt Pavillion. I was so grateful you were playing when my friend was visiting because I knew it would be a great show. He was so impressed ... Thank you for instilling that passion and love in your children and for all you've given so many over the years. I hope your family finds comfort and strength in good memories...and faith that loving connection never dies. RIP

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Funeral services provided by:

Lacerenza-Macari Family Funeral Home

8 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902

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