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New York native made mark at Miami

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By Steven Matthews, Staff Writer 6:41 PM Wednesday, January 25, 2012

OXFORD — Edward Joseph Demske moved to Oxford in 1982, and quickly fell in love with Miami University.

An avid Miami athletics supporter and an employee of the university for 18 years, those feelings remained strong and active for three decades until Demske died Saturday at 76 after a brief illness.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Elizabeth, and three sons, Greg, Bruce and Steven Demske. .

“(In 1982), Ron Harper was a freshman that year, and we all became big college basketball fans,” said Greg Demske. “He was a very vocal supporter; the loudest person in his section and sometimes criticizing the referees. And it was not just basketball, but also football, hockey and other sports. He was real committed to the university.”

Born in New York City, Demske relocated to Oxford from Binghamton University. He served as Miami University’s senior vice president for finance and university services and treasurer until his retirement in 2000.

Miami made Demske an honorary alumnus in 1997, and the Demske Culinary Support Center at Miami was named in his honor in 2007.

“My parents found a home here in Oxford,” Bruce Demske said. “They made a lot of great friends, and the community was very welcoming. They love the town, university, community, and the community loves them.”

Demske, who also served in the U.S. Army, was the first member of his family to graduate from college when he received his bachelor’s degree from the University at Albany.

After retiring, Demske continued to be active in the community, including being a member of the Oxford Rotary Club and the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Miami University Community Federal Credit Union.

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