Joe DeMay, 81, of Sun City Huntley passed away Friday, July 31, 2015 at Fair Oaks Health Care Center in Crystal Lake with his family at his side.
Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4-8pm at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home-10763 Dundee Road, Huntley. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday 10:00am at St. Mary Church- Huntley. There will be visitation at Church from 9 am until the time of the Mass. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery.
Born October 22, 1933 in Palermo, Sicily, he was the son of Vincenzo and Vincenza Chichirillo Iannacco. His father passed away in 1935. Later his mother married Anthony DeMay and the family moved to Jeannette, PA. In the summer of 1951 they relocated to Harvard, IL.
After graduating from Harvard High School in 1953, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was stationed at the U.S. Navy Atomic Testing Base outside of Las Vegas for two years. On September 1, 1956 he married his high school sweetheart, Judy Simonini, at St. Joseph’s Church in Harvard.
Joe was employed by Admiral Television Corporation in Harvard in various management positions from 1956 until the plant’s closing in 1980. He then was Quality Control Manager at General Power and Equipment for twelve years. He served as Harvard Community Credit Union President and Treasurer for 30 years.
Joe was active in a number of civic matters including serving as a Harvard City Alderman for 23 years and City Treasurer for 7 years. He was Chairman of Harvard’s Bicentennial Commission in honor of our nation’s Bicentennial celebration; and heavily involved in Harvard’s annual Milk Days, serving as General Chairman, Parade Chairman and on their Executive Board for 20 years.
He was a member of the Harvard Lions Club for 30 years with 28 years of perfect attendance and received the 1969 Harvard Jay-Cee Distinguished Service Award. He was a member of the Harvard Moose Lodge for 35 years, member of the Harvard Historical Society and served on the Harvard Library Board for 7 years, and the Chamber of Commerce Board.
In 1999 Joe and Judy moved to Sun City in Huntley to enjoy their retirement years. While there he was a charter member of the Italian American Club, served as president of the Pinochle Club and a member of the Bocce Club, Bowling Club and Polish Club. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Huntley.
He and Judy loved to travel and particularly enjoyed cruising. They travelled within the United States and to many countries around the world. His interests included playing pinochle, golf, bocce, and was a talented artist and a great cook.
Joe possessed a wonderful sense of humor, had a beautiful smile, an outgoing personality and a zest for enjoying life. He made friends wherever he went but his greatest love was of his family. He is survived by his wife Judy, his daughter Debbie Reising of McHenry, his son Joe (Kendra) of Lake in the Hills, grandchildren Angela Reising, Steve (Sonia) Reising and Tatum DeMay, and his great-grandchildren Giovanni, Giada and Georgia Reising. He is also survived by his brother Tony of Harvard, brothers-in-law Bob (Jennet) Simonini and Bill (Mary Jane) Simonini, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his parents-in-law Louis and Esther Simonini.
The family wants to extend special thanks to the staff at Fair Oaks Health Care Center for the wonderful care they provided Joe these past five years.
Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or to St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Huntley.
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Judy, Wally and I share your grief. May God give you great comfort in the days and months to come. Judy, you and your family are always in my prayers. Love you Mavis
Tony... So sorry to hear of the loss of your brother...One day we will all be reunited for an eternity...Take care, Ann
Debbie--I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts & prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Judy, my thoughts and prayers are with you, Deb and the rest of the family during this most difficult time. Joe will be forever remembered as the one who inspired me to participate in "The Walk To End Alzheimer's". Please know that you both forever hold a special place in my heart.
Judy, My deepest sympathies on the loss of Joe. I regard it as a blessing, that through my ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, I came to know both of you. The constant care and devotion that you demonstrated towards Joe was an inspiration to many. You are always welcome to attend our Mass at Fair Oaks. God Bless, Deacon Ed
Judy and Deb, so sorry for your loss. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss. We all loved Joe very much. My heart breaks for his family especially his love, his rock, Judy. All of Fair Oaks is mourning the loss of Joe. My love and prayers to Judy, Deb, and the DeMay family. Remember that you are very much loved.
Judy, this breaks my heart hearing about the passing of Joe. He was Loved by so many. You have always showed the true meaning of what love should be. You both will always have a special place in my heart.
My thoughts are with Judy, Debbie and family. I will always remember that sweet smile he had. Prayers for everyone through this time Joe was a very special person to so many. Im glad to have been part of his life at Fair Oaks
I will always remember that smile hed give, the hugs he gave Judy when walking in the hallway...so many memories God bless and keep Judy, Deb and family
Judy I'm very sorry to hear about joe. He had one wonderful smile! My prayers go out to you and everyone in your family. God bless, joe will forever be missed at fair oaks
Judy, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Joe and I had many wonderful memories i.e. Harvard Milk Day, Football, neithbors, etc. etc.. You have been a loyal spouse all these years and I commend you for all you did for Joe. God Bless You!!!!!!
Judy, I am very sorry to hear about Joe's passing. He was the kind of man who could instantly connect with everyone, especially with his smile. That kind of man is in short supply in today's world and he will be greatly missed. Our prayers and love are with you. -Ed, Nikki, Jack and Sam
My heart goes out to the whole family and I will forever hold a spot in my heart, God takes only good people and he chose a angel to come with him, but his memories will always leave on My prayers, hugs, and condolences to the family, Rest in peace my friend