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The Final Salute to Retired Colonel and WWII Veteran, Angelo Demos
When asked how he lived such a long life, the WWII vet, Angelo Demos would always comment, “I ate a lot of tomatoes and surrounded myself with people I love.”
Demos was known for his zest for life, incredibly positive attitude and his ability to break out into a show tune at a moment’s notice.
He would also tell people another secret to living so long was, “to use it or lose it.” He practiced the words he preached, as he just stopped practicing law this year at the age of 99, just a few months prior to his 100th birthday. Demos would also tell people he lived such a long and healthy life thanks to his wife of 61 years, Chrissie Demos, and her amazing Greek cooking.
He turned 100 on Oct. 17, 2024 and celebrated at a family gathering on Oct. 26th where he was presented with a flag that flew over the U.S. Capital from Marco Rubio’s office, a letter of commendation from Lt. Gov. Jaenette Nunez’s office, proclamations from Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniela Levine-Cava’s and Commissioner Raquel Regalado’s offices, as well as proclamations from the City of Pinecrest and the Village of Palmetto Bay.
At his 100th birthday gathering he was also given one last surprise. His daughter, Cynthia Demos (former CBSMiami News Anchor) announced to him that Miami-Dade County and the City of Pinecrest are working together to name the street he has lived on for 61 years after him.
“Wow,” he exclaimed. “Wow, that’s terrific,” he said with a big smile when he heard the news just 11 days prior to passing away. Demos was the attorney who actually incorporated “Palmetto Island” in Pinecrest where he lived. Now 70th Avenue, between 126th Street and 133rd Street on the Island, is set to bear his name.
“My dad was a great lawyer, a great father and a great American,” said his elder daughter, Stephanie Demos. “His love for his country was paramount.”
Demos fought in WWII as a combat soldier and was in the greatest battle of the greatest war in U.S. history, The Battle of the Bulge. As a member of the 35th Infantry Division – part of General George S. Patton’s Third Army – he fought in the Central Europe, Ardennes, and Rhineland campaigns in the European Theatre. Demos enlisted in the army as a private in 1942 and fought continuously in combat from October 1944 to May 1945. He remained in the reserves for more than 30 years where he rose to the rank of full bird colonel. In the reserves, he served as the commandant for the 3387th Miami USAR School at The University of Miami. His many military accolades include The Bronze Star, The Legion of Merit, The French Legion of Honor, and he is a member of the 35th Infantry division Hall of Fame. His picture hangs in the 35th Division Museum in Topeka, Kansas which is the same division former President Harry Truman fought in during World War I. When he was inducted into the Hall of Fame about 15 years ago, Demos said in his induction speech, “I’m proud and humbled to join President Harry Truman as an honoree in the Hall of Fame. At the end of the war, it was inconceivable that I would ever be placed in a position of honor with him.”
After the war, Demos attended the University of Pennsylvania for his undergraduate degree and then the University of Miami for law school. He practiced law for more than 70 years and was a well known, respected prominent attorney in Miami-Dade County.
He loved being with his family, traveling, eating gourmet food, and attending musical theater. He died peacefully to the sound of show tunes sung by those he most loved. In an Instagram post 100 days before his 100th birthday. Demos summed it up best by saying, to live a long and happy life, “be cooperative with your mate, watch your diet, do some calisthenics… (and) eat the right foods. I’ve been so fortunate to have a wonderful wife and two daughters I love. They make my life worthwhile.”
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