UWindsor Engineering Faculty, Staff & Students mourn the loss of the first Dean of Engineering

 

All Faculty and Staff:

It is with great sadness I am sharing the passing of the passing of Dr. Frank DeMarco, the esteemed first Dean of the Faculty of Engineering.  His exceptional contributions to both the University and the wider community will forever be remembered.  Dr. DeMarco passed away on Thursday, May 18 at his home in LaSalle, Ontario.  His legacy will endure through his numerous leadership roles and his family’s unwavering support.
 
DeMarco began his illustrious career in 1946 when he was recruited by the Basilian fathers of Assumption College to develop the Science and Engineering departments.  He later became the college’s Director of Athletics, head football coach, coach of the freshmen and varsity basketball teams and first head of the Chemistry department. Additionally, he served as the acting head of the engineering department at Essex College, where he spearheaded the accreditation by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board of the Chemical, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering Programs.
 
Throughout his career, Dr. DeMarco received numerous accolades and honours, including the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal, Canadian Centennial Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, Windsor's Italian of the Year Award, 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal, and the University of Windsor's Clark Award. In addition to his academic achievements, he raised 12 children with his late wife Mary and has 26 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
 
The DeMarco family supports the University of Windsor through various scholarships including establishing the DeMarco Environment Engineering Scholarship, Mary DeMarco Visual Arts Scholarship, and the DeMarco Award for Scholar-Athlete.
 
DeMarco retired from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Engineering in 1986 after 40 years of service.  He was appointed Professor Emeritus effective July 1, 1986.  He also revied an honorary Doctor of Education degree at the University of Windsor fall convocation Oct. 1986.
 
In 1996 DeMarco was inducted into the Windsor Essex County Sports Hall of Fame.
 
In 2016, Dr. DeMarco was commemorated by former colleagues, students, friends, staff, and family members celebrated his many achievements and contributions to the University of Windsor. Among the many he inspired were his children and their families who made a joint philanthropic gift of $100,000 to UWindsor’s Engineering and Science faculties. As a result, the Dr. Frank A. DeMarco Precision Wear Measurement Laboratory is now situated in the main atrium of the Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation and is home to top-notch nano-scale characterization research.
 
In 2021 DeMarco celebrated his centennial birthday at home.  He was joined by family in the celebration. Due to COVID-19, the celebration was held using ZOOM. 
 
Obituary and funeral service information: https://www.familiesfirst.ca/memorials/frank-demarco/5198833/index.php