Demarco's unexpected path

By Nick Vanburen

March 31, 2021

Sometimes we all wish that we can control our lives. We want to get into the college of our dreams, get our dream job, and live out a perfect life that is all planned out. But, nothing can be planned out, and no one knows that better than Anthony Demarco.

Demarco was born and raised in Albany, New York and can often be found in the G wing of South Colonie high school teaching anatomy and forensic science. Outside of school, he was involved in a lot of activities before the pandemic began. He used to run a dojo and do martial arts before it became too difficult to run. He likes to garden, and despite cutting open cats for his anatomy class, he is a big animal lover.

When I talked to him, it was clear that he was a very kind person that put a lot of thought into what he said.

When I asked him what advice he would give to graduating seniors he took a pause before answering and said “don't be too heavy on yourself to do this, this, and this.”

And if anyone has the right to say that, it's him.

Originally Mr. Demarco went to Seton Hall for two years which wasn't too far away from his family, but after the first two year he came home to find something tragic.

“My mother and father’s house was broken into and the individual got into my sister’s bedroom and attacked her,' he said.

Even through his facemask, it was clear as he told the story, that this was an event that had caused great pain for him.

Before this incident, he was planning on working for the National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization. Instead, he moved back down to be closer to home.

He finished his last two years of his microbiology degree at Siena College.

When I asked him what got him into teaching he gave me an answer I was not expecting. “I have always been teaching someone something,” he said with a slight smirk.

While he was getting his graduate degree, he was approached by someone who he thought graduated from Duke University. He wanted to post op with someone from Duke so he thought it was perfect. The man that approached him was Dr. Kizer. He was a teacher in South Colonie and had come to ask for some help. The school had just gotten an electron microscope, but no one knew how to turn it on.

After his great work, he was asked to teach courses at South Colonie high school. He chose to teach anatomy and forensic science.

He has been teaching at Colonie High School for over 35 years now. And with all the ups and downs, he taught through it all. So I had to ask him what inspired him to keep teaching.

“Students who have a fire in their belly," he said.

He laughed and added, "sorry to say but I'm retiring after this year."

This came as a shock, but not a surprise. 35 years of teaching is a long time. The pandemic had also clearly not been nice to him, as he had been quarantined three times during the year.

So while I think the school will be losing a great teacher, I'm glad I could have him for his last year. He taught me just how important it is to think on your feet and be ready for anything.