JOSEPH A. DEMASI, MIDN, USN

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall

Joseph should not be included in Memorial Hall for the reason listed at the bottom of this page. However, this entry remains so we do not lose his memory or the knowledge of his life and service.

Joseph Demasi '60

Date of birth: February 1, 1938

Date of death: December 7, 1957

Age: 19

Loss

From his high school yearbook. Located by Kathy Franz.

From The Bridgeport (Connecticut) Post on December 8, 1957:

Joseph A. DeMasi, an honor student and varsity soccer player at Navy, was found hanged early today in a bathroom of Bancroft hall, the Midshipmen's dormitory. Naval Academy authorities said he apparently committed suicide but a board of investigation was looking into the incident before returning an official finding.

DeMasi, 19-year-old sophomore from Medford, Mass., was found suspended from a bathrobe sash about 12:40 a.m. by another Midshipman. Naval medical officers pronounced him dead of strangulation. Cmdr. Marcy Dupre, public information officer, said the youth was very popular in the brigade of Midshipmen.

"I'm just shocked," said Glenn Warner, coach of the Navy soccer squad on which DeMasi was a reserve right fullback. "He would be the last person I could think of to do something that." Warner said he had DeMasi in a swimming class yesterday and the youth was in fine spirits, laughing and joking.

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Joseph graduated in 1956 from Bedford High School. Activities: Soccer 1, 2, 3, Co-Captain 3; Basketball 1, 2, 3; Baseball 1, 2, 3; “M” Club 2, 3; National Honor Society 2, 3; President 3; Student Cabinet 3; French Club 2; Junior Classical League 1; Senior Advisory Council 3; Class Treasurer 3. He was also class orator at graduation.

Father Joseph, mother Gertrude, two sisters Judith and Nancy.

The investigation ruled his death an "unpremeditated suicide."

Memorial Hall Error

Suicide is not a criteria for inclusion in Memorial Hall.


Class of 1960

Joseph is one of 27 members of the Class of 1960 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.