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Phillip Demas, ex-Tarpon commissioner, dies at 93

Called a walking Tarpon Springs history book, he ran several businesses and was an entertainer.

By NOVA BEALL
Published August 4, 2006

	Son of a sponge diver, Phillip Demas was born in Spetsis, Greece, and went through Ellis Island with his mother. "He was Mr. Tarpon Springs," says ex mayor Anita Protos.

TARPON SPRINGS - Phillip Demas, an entrepreneur who worked more than six decades at Vinson Funeral Home and found time to be a band leader and city commissioner, died Tuesday at Bay Tree Nursing Center in Palm Harbor under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. He was 93.

Described as a walking history book of Tarpon Springs, Mr. Demas was a member of several community groups and also made a name as a popular local entertainer.

"He was Mr. Tarpon Springs," said Anita Protos, former Tarpon Springs mayor.

Born in Spetsis, Greece, in 1913, he came to the United States as an infant with his mother, who entered the country through Ellis Island and joined her husband, Cosma, a Tarpon Springs sponge diver.

"My father had a great work ethic," said Cheryl Demas of Tarpon Springs. "At 5 years old he was shining shoes for a nickel to help support the family. He also delivered papers, and four years after graduating from Tarpon Springs High School in 1932, he began a part-time job as a Greek-English translator for Vinson Funeral Home."

Working closely with owner L.K. "Pop" Vinson, Mr. Demas soon took on additional duties as a driver and funeral attendant.

In 1935, he married Mary Roberts of Tarpon Springs, who worked with him in several of their business ventures. They had four daughters.

Mr. Demas served in the Army during World War II, returning to Tarpon Springs and to Vinson's in 1943.

Demas and his wife soon started a five piece swing band named Mary and her Little Lambs. Demas played drums, his wife played piano.

"Whenever there was an affair, Phil's band would play," recalled Protos.

By 1961 the band had grown to 10 members and was known as the Phil Demas Orchestra. The band's performances still are remembered in Tarpon.

"Even after both knees were replaced in the 1980s, my father played drums with his orchestra two days after surgery," said Cheryl Demas. "I'm constantly being told by people, 'Your father played at my wedding, my prom, my graduation.' And he continued to play until he was in his 80s."

Demas also managed for a time the Royal Theater and the former Tarpon Springs Theater in the Taylor Arcade. Protos recalled trying to sneak food into the theater as a youngster. "Phil would confiscate our hot dogs and eat them!" she chuckled.

Mr. Demas also opened a jewelry store, a snack shop and soda fountain, a TV and stereo store and the only record store in town selling rock 'n' roll during the 1950s.

Mr. Demas was a city commissioner from 1957 to 1959, and mayor pro tem from 1959 to 1961. He was a 40-year volunteer firefighter and a member of the police auxiliary.

Mr. Demas was a member of the Lions Club, Jaycees, Old Timers Club, Historical Society and president of St. Nicholas Greek Community from 1951 to 1952. He also was a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral and First United Methodist Church.

In 2004, Demas was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and had a pacemaker implanted. He continued to work for Vinson's in a limited role until January, when he entered Bay Tree Nursing Center in Palm Harbor.

Mr. Demas is survived by three daughters, Cheryl Demas of Tarpon Springs, Phyllis Short of Palm Harbor and Deborah Valori of Palm Bay; a brother, George, of Tampa; a sister, Mary Mitts of Tarpon Springs; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His wife, Mary, died in 1984, and daughter Michelle died in 1996

Visitation is 7 to 9 p.m. today at Vinson Funeral Home. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of the Florida Suncoast.

[Last modified August 3, 2006, 20:10:58]