100th Birthday Surprise Party Held For War Veteran In Bensalem

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —Joseph DeMarco had a lot of candles on his cake Friday —like 100 of them.

DeMarco was the guest of honor as Parx Casino and Bucks County officials held a surprise 100th birthday party in the Liberty Bell Beer Garden featuring an escorted motorcade, family and friends, elected officials and citations, and a 100th birthday cake.

DeMarco was a Private First Class in the USMC who now lives in the Delaware Valley Veterans Home, 2701 Southampton Rd. in Philadelphia.

DeMarco was escorted with 12 of his fellow veterans by Bensalem Highway Patrol motorcycles to Parx Casino. Invited special guests included Bensalem Township Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo, U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, and state Sen. Frank Farry.

DeMarco grew up in South Philadelphia and considers it to be "the best place around."

He forged his parents’ signature to Join the U.S. Marine Corps in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor at the age of 17.

He was sent to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune for basic training. Eventually, his father found him and made him come home but he re-enlisted six months later when he turned 18.

He went through basic training again at Camp Lejeune. DeMarco liked the Marines because he liked to fight and used to fight frequently growing up. He was made to fight (box) in the Marines.

DeMarco was aboard a ship originally headed for Guadalcanal but redirected to the Panama Canal out of fear of an Axis attack/bombing.

He was stationed on watch duty in Panama where he had a close encounter during a Japanese ambush that killed a marine who was on his previous post.

DeMarco was then sent to Texas after a few years in Panama. He boarded a ship again to go to Guadalcanal. The ship was suddenly redirected back to Panama where he stayed for about another year.

In USMC, DeMarco would get caught shooting dice and make him clean the entire barracks with a toothbrush.

After he was released from the USMC, he returned to South Philadelphia, where he got a job as a presser in a tailor shop. He chipped in with friends to attend weekly dances at the local club.

DeMarco was introduced to his wife by her friends. She had worked at the same tailor shop but was unknown to him until they met at a dance. They got married but eventually split up. He had three children but unfortunately, he lost his son and one daughter. His only surviving daughter is Paula.

DeMarco worked in the garment manufacturing industry for many years. He also worked selling beer at Philadelphia Phillies games and worked as a waiter at night. He loves Philly sports, especially baseball and football. He enjoys trips to Atlantic City to play craps. He loves to gamble (for better or worse). He also loves the classic crooners (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, etc.)