John Anthony Demasi, Jr

DeMasi, Jr, John Anthony of Quincy and N. Truro, passed away peacefully at his home September 24, 2011. Beloved husband of 57 years to Shirley M. (Anderson) DeMasi. Loving father to Linda M. DeMasi and her partner, Julien Kasper of Quincy, John A. DeMasi, III of N. Truro, and Diane M. DeMasi and her husband, David McKenney of Quincy. Cherished “Buppa” of Silas John McKenney. John was raised in the Savin Hill section of Dorchester before moving to Quincy in 1954. He was a decorated M.D.C. Police Officer assigned to the Blue Hill Division for thirty five years. John started his career as a patrolman, then became a mounted police officer, a detective, and finished his career as a police prosecutor at the Quincy District Court before his retirement in 1992. An active man, his greatest joys in life were found during the times spent with his family, friends, music, and his grandson. He enjoyed pheasant hunting, fishing on his boat, metal detecting, and playing the piano. He discoved the trombone in his early 20’s, which became attached to him for the rest of his life. He was the leader of his own band called Moby Dick and the Wailers, which played around the South Shore and Cape Cod and still exists today. John’s love of playing music took him all over the country working with Louis Prima, Tommy Dorsey, and Artie Shaw and many North and South Shore bands. John was the leader of the Whipple Snappers Band at the Weymouth Senior Ctr. and the Old Kids. He played trombone for the Waltham American Legion Band with whom he traveled to Ireland and Russia, as the first American band ever to march through Red Square. He was also a member of the American Federation of Musicians, Charter Member and Past President of the Mass Striped Bass Association, Quincy Cavanagh Disabled American Veterans Chapter No. 79, Cyril P. Morrisette American Legion Post 294, and the Lower Cape Concert Band. John was also a World War II veteran serving with the United States Navy. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Wednesday 4-8 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY. Funeral service will be celebrated on Thursday at 11 AM in Keohane Funeral Home, Quincy. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the Professional Musicians Club, 10 Anis Road Belmont, MA 02478