Paul Joseph DeMarco

Humanitarian, registered nurse, musician, and man of many skills, Paul Joseph DeMarco came to the end of his earthly sojourn on January 19, 2023. Born January 28, 1951 in Pittsburgh, PA, Paul spent his early childhood living in a big two-story house with his mother, aunt, uncle, and several rowdy cousins. That experience instilled in him a love of family and community. When Paul was seven, his mother married Bert Lamport, Jr. and went on to birth Paul's brother, Bert III, and sister Sheila. He enjoyed helping his mom take care of his siblings. In early adulthood, Paul worked in construction, gaining skills he used throughout his life. By 1975, he was living in Tucson with his first wife, Robin Parsons, where he played music with a variety of local bands while Robin worked as a potter. In 1976, they became charter members of the Mimbres Hot Springs Ranch outside Silver City, NM. Around 1977, Paul moved from the Ranch to Las Cruces to go to school for nursing. After he obtained his degree, he worked for a time at the hospital in Silver City, then he moved to Atlanta, GA to do temp nursing work and spend time near his sister. By then he was single again. Visiting a boutique in the Little Five Points neighborhood in Atlanta, he met the owner Carla (now Carla Rivers). Eleven months later, he, Carla, and Carla's daughter Kaia packed up his truck and moved back to New Mexico to live at the Mimbres Hot Springs Ranch, where they were married on New Year's Eve in 1983. Their son Sean was born in March 1986. The family moved to Pittsburgh, PA in 1988 to be near Paul’s family. They lived in Pittsburgh until 1993, when they returned to Silver City. Paul and Carla parted ways in 2010 and he later paired up with his loving partner Maverick Goodson. Paul was a beloved member of the Silver City medical and musical communities. In his younger days, Paul played cello, saxophone, guitar, and flute. Later, he played mostly flute with many musicians in town and was a frequent player in the longstanding Gypsy Feet Band. He had a gorgeous singing voice. He was a dedicated family man and a caring, protective force in his community. He will be greatly missed. Paul is preceded in death by his parents Joan and Bert Lamport. He leaves behind his son Sean DeMarco, stepdaughter Kaia Roman, life partner Maverick Goodson, sister Sheila, brother-in-law Kent Vrana, brother Bert, sister-in-law Janet Lamport, granddaughters Sophia DeMarco, Nava Roman, and Kira Roman, and several adoring nieces and nephews. 

A Memorial Service for Paul will take place at one o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Baca’s Funeral Chapel in Silver City.

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