Anthony Joseph (Tony) De Marco passed away at home in Harahan, LA on January 6, 2022 at the age of 78. Tony was born on February 15, 1943 in Kenner, LA and lived in Louisiana most of his life. He was the beloved husband of Gayanne Jokisch De Marco for 34 years. Tony was the son of the late Joseph J. De Marco and Odette Marie De Marco; Brother of Josephine Bartosawitz, Michael De Marco (Cheryl), Dolores De Marco, and Nancy De Marco; Tony leaves 1 son, Christopher J. De Marco (Maria), 5 daughters, Tonilyn Spring (Greg), Suzette Riley (Patrick), Tracie Spallino (Jimmy), Simone Ingram (Shawn), and Courtney Moberg (Brandon); 3 step daughters Terri Genard (Louie), Sandy Wilson (Mark Fowler) and Lisa Harris, he leaves 20 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Tony was in the welding industry for over 60 years and was the sole owner and operator of De Marco Welding Services, LLC for the past 28 years. His clients extended throughout Southeastern US, Texas, and Mexico. He graduated from Delgado Trade School in New Orleans and Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 60 after which he taught the welding students at Local 60 for 17 yrs. He attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana during the summer months for six yrs. receiving the certificates to teach welding anywhere in United States and Canada. Tony has been an active member of Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 60 since 1963. Between the age of 15-17, Tony was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the US Air Force in New Orleans. On weekends, the Air Force pilots would take the CAP members up for a flight in the L15 boxcars, a memorable time in his life. Tony served proudly in the US Air Force as a mechanic on the U2Spy plane and the T-33. Tony was a Life Member of the American Welding Society and an active member of the Executive Committee of the New Orleans Section. He has been an AWS Certified Welding Inspector since 1986 and an AWS Certified Welding Educator for many years. He was always willing and excited when asked to conduct a Welding Presentation at the AWS Section 9 General Meetings or to give welding demonstrations to High School welding students throughout Louisiana. Tony never passed up the chance to attend “one more” seminar learning more about the Art and Science of Welding.
In lieu of flowers, donations, in memory of Anthony “Tony” De Marco, may be made to the AWS Foundation for the New Orleans Section named scholarship –”Anthony J. DeMarco/Bruce Hallila” which is used to further welding students in practical welding and in welding engineering vocations. Mail check to: American Welding Society Foundation, 8669 NW 36 Street, # 130, Miami, Florida 33166-6672 or use electronic form at AWS Foundation Donations (etapestry.com). Relatives and friends are invited to attend funeral services on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 12 p.m. at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. We ask that all who attend please wear a mask.