'Classic council watcher' remembered 'Classic council watcher' remembered (June 10, 2005)

Irascible but fair, Dominic Deremigio, 91, was a fixture at City Hall

By Jon Wiener

Dominic Deremigio was never shy about sharing his opinions about the city. After he died at the age of 91 last month, city officials shared their opinions about one concerned citizen they never regretted hearing from.

"He was a classic council watcher in the best use of that term," recalled city manager Kevin Duggan. "Even when he would make comments that some might view as critical or as strong, he often had kind of a twinkle in his eye."

More than once, Deremigio made his way into the minutes of city council meetings, frequently speaking out on the importance of parental responsibility.

"He'd come up and rail at you, but when you'd get off the dais he'd give you a wink and a nod," said council member Mike Kasperzak.

At visitation hours for the Deremigio family last week, Kasperzak was relaying his favorite story about the man many knew as "the neighborhood mayor," for his habit of presiding over his block from a chair in front of his house.

"The night that I passed the gavel to (fellow council member) Matt (Pear) as mayor, Dom gets up and says, 'This is gonna surprise some of you guys, but I just thought I should let you know that Kasperzak's one of the best mayors this town has ever had.'"

No sooner had Kasperzak finished telling the story than in walked Les Nichols, himself a former mayor from 1979-80. Said Nichols, "He said the same thing when I left office."

Deremigio had been watching city council meetings since before Nichols' term, and continued watching them until his death, relying on televised broadcasts when he was too weak to attend them in person.

"I always liked to see him there," remembered city attorney Michael Martello. "He was irascible in a sense that he'd come down and give you a tongue-lashing about something he didn't like. But he was also pretty generous with his praise."

A native of Akron, Ohio, Deremigio had lived in Mountain View for 45 years. He enlisted in the Navy during World War II, working his way up to Lt. Commander before retiring 22 years later. He then worked at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center for three decades.

Those who knew him say that despite a rough exterior, Deremigio always had the community's best interests at heart. He was a family man who frequently bragged about his children and faithfully attended grandparents day every year at his granddaughter's school.

"His sense of humor always showed with a twinkle in his eye even in his last days," remembered his son Thomas. Forced to use a walker, he continued to bring oranges from his neighbor's tree into the city's senior center, where he had become a well-known figure.

"He was hurt, in a walker, and still trying to help others out," said John Marchant, recreation coordinator at the senior center. "That's just the kind of guy he was."

Deremigio died after succumbing to a nine-week illness. He joined Virginia, his wife of 35 years, who died in 1982. He is survived by his brother John; sister Mary LaRocca; sons Kevin and Thomas; daughter-in-law Beryl; granddaughter Katie; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made in Dominic's name to the American Diabetes Association, 4040 Moorpark Ave., San Jose, CA 95117.

E-mail Jon Wiener at jwiener@mv-voice.com

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