Nicholas DeMaria

Nicholas J. DeMaria, 97, of Milford passed away Aug. 11. He was the husband of the late Eleanor A. (Ghiloni) DeMaria, who died in 2013.

Mr. DeMaria was employed as a firefighter for 28 years for the Town of Milford, retiring in 1981. He also was a certified EMT.

He was born Aug. 27, 1924, in Milford, son of the late Raffaelle and Angelina (Calzone) DeMaria. A lifelong resident of Milford, he was a graduate of the former St. Mary’s High School, Milford. He had attended Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester and Dean College in Franklin.

Mr. DeMaria served in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 102nd Infantry and was the recipient of a Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. He was well known throughout the area for his dedication to poppy flower distribution in honor of fallen soldiers. He also was proud to have participated on an Honor Flight New England trip to Washington, D.C., this past Father’s Day to recognize veterans.

Nicholas was a life member of the Sgt. John W. Powers American Legion Post 59 of Milford, life member of the VFW Milford Post 1544, where he was presently serving as chaplain, member of the Sons of Italy 1356 Milford Lodge, Italian American War Veterans Club Post 40 of Milford, treasurer of the Hoboken Citizens Club Pitch League and a longtime member of the Holy Name Society of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, where he served as an usher.

He is survived by his children, Jo-Ann D. and husband David Morgan of Hopkinton, Ellie Peoples of Oxford, Michael A. DeMaria of Milford, Paula McCarthy of Darien, Connecticut, and Nicole D. Grace of Danvers; three sisters, Mary Lamborghini of North Providence, Rhode Island, and Theresa Lizotte and Rita Piso, both of Milford; five grandchildren, Jonathan DeMaria, Mary-Elizabeth Morgan Monroy, Liam McCarthy, Devon McCarthy and Mikaela DeMaria; four great-grandsons and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, Joseph DeMaria, who went missing in action during WWII, Vincent DeMaria and Angelo DeMaria, and a sister, Lucy Cormier.

Funeral services were held Aug. 17 from the Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home in Milford followed by a Mass of Christian burial in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Milford. Burial followed in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Milford, with military honors and Milford Fire Department honors.

Memorial donations may be made to Honor Flight New England, P.O. Box 16287, Hooksett, NH 03106.

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