WWII vet celebrates 100th birthday at Parx doing it his way
A World War II veteran celebrated his 100th birthday in his own way — having a beer with fellow vets, chowing down on beef sliders, and slicing his birthday cake at Parx Casino in Bensalem.
"It went fast," the U.S. Marine said, reflecting on his century of life.
Bucks Countian honored This Bucks County bridge now named for Army veteran from Sellersville killed in Vietnam
Friends, local officials and casino executives gathered Friday afternoon in Parx’s Beer Garden restaurant to sing “Happy Birthday,” present him with an American flag and a state proclamation, and informed him that his centennial birthday and notes on his time serving in the Pacific were now permanently entered in the Congressional Record.
“We value our freedom, and we value the rights of being an American, so thank you for protecting that for us,” said Eric Hausler, Parx CEO.
Bensalem Mayor Joe DiGirolamo presented DeMarco with a proclamation.
“Never in the history of the world has any soldier sacrificed more for freedom and liberty of total strangers than the American soldier,” he said. “Your service to our country is commendable,” he said.
DeMarco was born Aug. 7, 2024, and grew up in South Philadelphia, which he considers “the best place around.”
He was 17 when Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec. 7, 1941, and immediately joined the U.S. Marine Corps., forging his parents’ signatures to get in, according to a short, published biography.
He was sent to Camp Lejeune, but his father went searching for him. When he found him, he demanded he come home. DeMarco obeyed. But six months later, when he turned 18, he re-enlisted.
A natural street fighter, DeMarco became a Marine boxer. He served in the South Pacific, and was sailing to Guadalcanal when his ship was sent to Panama. There, the Marines came under attack in a Japanese ambush.
Otherwise, he spent his time cleaning his barracks with a toothbrush, a punishment for shooting dice, he said.
After the war, back home in South Philly, he took a job in a tailor shop as a presser. He made his living in the garment industry, sold beer at Phillies games, and was a part-time waiter at night. He remains a dedicated Phillies and Eagles fan. Sinatra, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole are his favorite singers.
He went to dance clubs, where he met his wife. They had three children, two girls and boy. His marriage ended and two of his children died. He is survived by one daughter, Paula, and a grandchild, Joseph.
As Mayor DiGirolamo presented him with the proclamation.
“I had enough,” DeMarco said, as the room erupted in laughter.
After lunch, he spent his 100th doing what he loves – shooting craps. Luck was with him. On his first toss, the croupier shouted, “A winnah!”
JD Mullane can be reached at 215-949-5745 or at jmullane@couriertimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: At 100, Marine Joe DeMarco celebrates birthday at Parx in Bensalem
