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Tony DeMare to say farewell to Divine Child after the season, and head south
Dearborn – Tony DeMare doesn’t want to look back on his life and say, what if?
Instead DeMare and his wife Cynthia are looking to the future and asking the question, why not.
Tony DeMare has spent the last 21 years at Dearborn Divine Child. For 17 of those years he’s been the head varsity baseball coach and for the past 16 he’s been the school’s athletic director. Before he came to Divine Child in 1995 DeMare was an assistant baseball coach at Wayne State, the school he received his undergraduate degree then, a few years later, his masters.
For years, even before DeMare took over the program, Divine Child has been highly competitive in baseball. The Falcons won their first state title (Class B) in 1992 with Mark Falvo as the head coach. Divine Child then won four state titles under DeMare. The Falcons have also won nine Catholic League titles.
This season Divine Child is 17-14 and came within a run of reaching the league championship game at Comerica Park as the Falcons lost to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, 2-1, in a semifinal. Divine Child will likely win a district title this weekend and advance to the regionals on June 11.
DeMare is proud of the success that his teams have enjoyed and he has nothing but fond memories of his teams at Divine Child but he and his wife have decided that it’s time to move on. Shortly after the end of the season the DeMares will gather their belongings, say goodbye to friends and family, and head south.
Just exactly where they will make their new home and what they will do, as far as work and finding work, is unknown. The DeMares will rely on their faith and let the rest take of itself.
“It was not an easy decision,” Tony DeMare said. “Divine Child has been our home. All five of our children went to Divine Child. The Divine Child community has given us great memories.”
At 52 years old, DeMare said the time is now to make such a move. “A big part of our decision-making was we didn’t want to be too old to do this,” he said. “This isn’t a retirement. We’ll both look for work. We’re doing this together. We’re looking forward to wherever God directs us. We want to make a difference wherever we go.”
The DeMares’ youngest child, Torey, is the starting first baseman on the baseball team and he has graduated. He will attend Liberty (Va.) University on a scholarship and continue his baseball career as well as his studies.
The empty nest is something the DeMares have discussed with their children and although there was some initial consternation everyone is on board and in support of the move.
“Some people would say, why?” DeMare said. “The end-all is, we live by the Lord. It’s a leap of faith.
“It’s time for a transition. The Lord is leading us to another phase.”
DeMare said he’s never been a fan of cold weather so it’s likely he and his wife will make their new home near Florida.
One must admire the DeMares’ courage and their faith. Most would likely not be so bold and miss out on taking a chance, and relying on your strength as a person to embrace whatever the future brings.
And then there are those who might even be envious.
Good luck, Cynthia and Tony. May your faith remain strong.
