William Michael DeMare passed away peacefully on March 5, 2018, at The Peaks, in Flagstaff. He was 93. The family will be celebrating Bill’s life at a later date in Silver City, N.M. Bill was born in Bellaire, Ohio, on Feb. 21, 1925. He was the youngest of eight children. His father, Sam DeMare, and his mother, Catherine LaRuffo DeMare, emigrated from southern Italy. His parents died when he was young and Bill lived with his sisters and their families. He was drafted into the army at 18 before finishing high school. Bill later finished high school and moved to Silver City, N.M. There, he attended New Mexico State Teacher’s College where he met Frances Portillo while they were both students. They married and had two children, Kathryn Roma and Michael Anthony. Unfortunately, Michael Anthony died one day after birth. Bill taught in a three-room school in Faywood, N.M., for a few years. In 1953, Bill, Frances and Kathy moved to Fresno County, Calif. Bill taught fifth grade and drove a school bus. He and Frances taught in migrant schools serving the children of farm workers who moved along the San Joaquin Valley following the crops of cotton, sugar beets and melons. In 1957, Bill and family moved to Santa Paula, Calif. Bill taught in Santa Paula, Ventura and one year in the Carmel-Monterey area, teaching children of the National Forest personnel. The family then moved to Holbrook in 1960. Bill and Frances worked with many Native American children who did not speak English and who had many hardships. Bill and Frances were devoted and caring teachers who truly enjoyed their careers. Bill taught third grade for many years in Holbrook and started the school chess club. He was a beloved teacher in Holbrook. In total, Bill taught for 37 years. Bill had a witty sense of humor and loved to crack silly jokes. He was a loving and kind father. One of the joys of his life was playing with his grandchildren when they were young. He was like clay in their hands–a softie. He gave them “spending” money and spoiled them any chance he could. Bill had a green thumb and could grow anything, a skill he passed on to his daughter. He loved scrabble, movies, good food, (especially spicy chili), coffee, driving his truck and music (like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra). You might have caught him belting out tunes around the house on occasion. His family treasures the many fond memories they have. Bill was predeceased by his wife, Frances, who passed away in 2007; and seven siblings, Johanna Alba LaRuffo (1919), Frances DeMare Morgan (1967), Adeline LaRuffo DeLoretta (1968) Domenic F. LaRuffo (1972), Sarah LaRuffo DeFelice (1988), Mary La Ruffo Ciofani (1994) and Anthony Paul DeMare (1998). Survivors include his daughter, Kathy DeMare Richardson; three grandchildren, Jeff Dillon, Jarod Richardson and Jamilyn Richardson; and six great-grandchildren. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements.
