Michael D. DeMarsico

Michael D. DeMarsico, 44, of West Haven, loving husband to Paul Ringer, passed away at his home in West Haven, CT on February 24, 2018. He was born on July 19, 1973 in White Plains, NY to his parents Stephen and Susan (Mastandrea) DeMarsico. Along with his husband Paul, loving dog Chloe, and mother Susan, he is survived by his brother Stephen (Donna) DeMarsico, and niece Casey of West Harrison, NY. He is predeceased by his father Stephen DeMarsico, paternal grandparents Michael and Eva DeMarsico, and maternal grandparents John and Flora Mastandrea, all of West Harrison, NY. Michael attended Harrison Central Schools & while at HHS was a member of Marching Band, Orchestra, Declamation Group, Harrison Footlight Players, & belonged to National Honors Society. He graduated from Syracuse University Newhouse School with honors as a dual major in Journalism & Creative Writing. While at Syracuse, Michael was a member of the Marching Band and played at the Fiesta Bowl in AZ. Michael also worked as a summer camp counselor in West Harrison & appeared in productions of Harrison Footlight Players. Michael spent the early part of his career writing and editing. His writing could be seen in magazines like Out, Instinct, Next and A Bear’s Life. His career took a turn when he became the Youth Minister for several Unitarian congregations in Somerville, NJ, New Haven, CT and Melrose, MA. This was where his heart stayed, as he continued to work with children and was a gifted and inspiring mentor to all. Some of Michael’s side hobbies were a testament to Michael’s quirky nature. He took ballroom dance lessons for a couple of years (there is nothing like seeing a 6’2” bearded man in a ball gown dancing to the song Bosom Buddies with his dance teacher--that is typical Michael, but he did get high score for that one!) and when he wanted to try to be more athletic he even joined the Boston Ironsides Rugby Team for a brief stint in 2009. As his many friends can attest to, when Michael did something, he was all in. After moving to NYC in 2010, Michael joined several social groups that brought him joy like Stiff Competition (a games group that met regularly to play board games—and where Michael earned his nickname “Creamsicle,” because of the abundance of guys named Mike!) and New York Gay Geeks. The meetings and friendships that came out of these groups helped put smiles on his face and in his heart through some of the tough times. When he could no longer work, he went into volunteer mode and spent time helping out organizations such as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. Michael’s heart was evident everywhere he went and to all he met, from the friends he made at his groups to even the homeless around us in NYC, who would say “Hi Mike” as he passed by each day. From summer vacations in Provincetown each July with our friends to walks in the NYC parks with our dog, Chloe, Michael managed to cherish each and every day and live a life full of joy. A celebration of life will be scheduled in April in NYC. Arrangements in care of Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, Hamden, CT. Donations in Michael’s name may be made to the Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1296, White Plains, NY 10602 or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, 469 7th Ave. 498, NY, NY 10018, or to Broadway Cares/Equity Fight Aids: https://broadwaycares.org/online-carecard-donation.