John P. "Tiger" Demas Sr.

John P. "Tiger" Demas Sr., 83, of Girard, passed away Monday July 27, 2015, at home, with his family by his side. He was born May 22, 1932, in Girard,  the son of the late Dominic and Maggie Orsine Demas. Tiger was a 1946 graduate of St. Rose School and a 1950 graduate of Girard High School.  Tiger received a scholarship to play football for John Carroll University and was recognized as the most valuable freshman player. He played football for Youngstown College and graduated in 1955. He earned his masters degree from Westminster College.  He began his teaching career in Hartford in 1955, where he coached basketball and lead his 1958 team into the final four in the state. From 1959 - 1965 he taught at Brookfield where he coached football and basketball. In 1965, Tiger moved to Austintown Fitch High School,  where he was a guidance counselor and also coached football. He became a Freshman Principal  for Fitch in 1969 and was the principal until he retired in 1990.  Tiger was a devote member of St. Rose Church, where he had taught CCD classes. He had also belonged to the Knights of Columbus, the IFH Club of Girard, the YSU Alumni and Football Alumni and was inducted in 2002 into the Girard Hall of Fame. He enjoyed playing golf, bocce, and cards, and for years he delivered, Meals On Wheels, with his wife. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, the former, Regina Kope, whom he married on August 17, 1957, his children: Judy (Sal) Ponzio of Girard, Carol (Mark) Zuppo of Girard, John P. Demas Jr., of Girard and Paul Demas of Hilliard, grandchildren; Mark (fiancee Allison Hatton) Zuppo, Therese (Quinn) Meechan , Matthew Zuppo, Joseph (Lucille) Ponzio, Salvatore Ponzio and Gina (Dave) Sherock, great-grandchildren; Gianna Zuppo and Dominic Ponzio, brother Carl V. (Minya) Demas of McKinley Heights and sister-in-laws; Bunny (Buddy) Bornemiss and Peggy Blascak.  Tiger is preceded in death by his sister, Virginia L. Templeman, and brothers, James, Becky, and William.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 1st, 10:00 AM at St. Rose Church, preceded by a prayer service at 9:30 AM at Blackstone Funeral Home in Girard.  The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 4-7 PM at the funeral home.  Tiger will be interred at Girard City Cemetery.  The family wishes to thank Hospice of the Valley for their kindness and comforting care that was given to Tiger. The family requests any material contributions be made any charity of choice in Tiger's memory.  Visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com to view this obituary and to send any condolences to the family.