I remember first meeting Mr. Demarchi at Francis Junior High School during my second year. He became one of the students' most vocal supporters. One time when we weren't provided transportation to go to a football scrimmage at another school, he gave us a ride in his convertible with our gears and all. I ran into him a year later at my high school where he remained our fighting force through support for everything we believed in. Jerry DeMarchi's strengths will always be the tender care and love for his kids, no matter the battleground, he would always be there with a helping hand. 

My wife and I were in Spain on a sabbatical year and it was time to come back.  I touched base with DCPS Human Resources and they said that there was an opening for a Spanish teaching position at McKinley Tech and that I should contact Jerry.  I sent him my resume and stuff and a couple of days later I got an email from Jerry saying that he wanted me to come work at Tech.  I was shocked, we hadn't even met yet!  But he told me that he spoke with my previous principal and that he told him that "You need to get that guy".  Well, Jerry got me and I worked hard to make sure that he never regretted taking a chance on me.  I'll always remember seeing him early at work, just having worked out, fitter than most guys 20 years his junior.  I'll miss him a lot and wished I had one more chance to sit down and catch up.  

It is hard to imagine the neighborhood without Jerry around.  He was such a ray of sunshine.  He had a zest for life and it permeated throughout the neighborhood.  Our 10-year old son, Jack, asked what happened to Jerry and we explained that something went wrong with his heart.  Jack responded, “How can that be?  He has the biggest heart of anyone I know”!  Jerry was such a devoted husband and father.  We remember him saying, the day before he passed, that the night before he gave Natalie and Benjamin “extra hugs and kisses because you never know”.

All three of our kids have a "Jerry story" that makes them smile. For Jack (10), it was the day Jerry taught him to throw a spiral football.  For Avery (10), she remembers whenever it snowed that Jerry would push her and Natalie down the hill on their sleds.  Ryan (7), remembers jumping off of Jerry’s shoulders and plunging into the water with Benjamin at the pool.

Jerry touched so many peoples’ lives with his loving spirit.  He was always willing to help anyone in need.  He will be deeply missed.