Alfred DeMaso

Alfred “Al” Arthur DeMaso

Al was born on July 25, 1929, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to Arturo Luigi and Lucia Rosa (Galli) DeMaso. He died on July 20, 2022, at age 92, in Highland, Utah, after a long battle with dementia. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Kathryn Lorraine (Alex) Mezo.

Al attended elementary and middle schools in Springfield, Michigan, and graduated from Lakeview High School, class of 1949, earning All Twin-Valley Honors in basketball. He also played in city basketball leagues for several years and was active in bowling leagues as well. Al was employed by Post Cereals for 40 years.

On August 26, 1950, he married his high school sweetheart, Carlene I. Burlingame, in Battle Creek, Michigan.  He served in the US Army from 1952–1954, and was joined by Carlene in Fürth, Germany, for nine months of his service overseas. While in Germany, they were fortunate to visit Al’s aunts and other relatives who lived in the beautiful Dolomite Alps of Italy.

Al and Carlene bought their first home in 1954, and resided in Springfield, Michigan, for 66 years, where they raised their four children. Due to declining health, they moved to Highland, Utah, and have lived there just over one and a half years. Al loved to travel and meet people. He and Carlene visited all but one of the states in the United States as well as Italy, Austria, France, Holland, England, Czechoslovakia, Russia, and China.

“Big Al,” “Nonno,” “Big Nonno” enjoyed sports and the outdoors. He loved attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sports events as well as their dance, theater, and music recitals. Al especially enjoyed annual pheasant hunting trips to South Dakota with his sons, grandsons, a son-in-law, friends, and hunting dogs. Oh, the stories they told upon their return! Also special were fishing trips to Alaska and hunting adventures in Mexico and Montana. Al was an avid skeet shooter, and rarely missed weekly trips to the local gun clubs where he had made a number of friends. He also enjoyed visiting his nephews at their family farms in nearby Galesburg, Michigan.

An enthusiastic motorcyclist for over six decades, Al was always up for a new adventure, including years of riding on Michigan’s back roads, riding with sons Gregg and Brad, and traveling every road in Utah during many trips out West. Big Al was quite the story teller and was famous for a number of catchy phrases, including “They don’t make ‘em like they used to” and “Nice one, boys.”

Al was a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and Carlene, along with their children, were sealed for time and all eternity in the Washington D.C. Temple, on May 30, 1975.

The family would like to express thanks and appreciation to the staff at Highland Glen, Orem Rehabilitation Center, and Suncrest Hospice for their dedication to Al’s care and well-being. A special thanks also to grandchildren who helped Al during his recoveries in Michigan and Utah.

Alfred is survived by his wife, Carlene, and children: Paula (Steven) Bule, American Fork, Utah; Gregg (Danielle) DeMaso, Gallatin, Tennessee; Brad (Michelle) DeMaso, El Dorado Hills, California; Carla (Andrew) Johnson, Issaquah, Washington; 16 grandchildren, one step-grandson, and 30 great grandchildren. He loved each one. He is also survived by his niece, Kathryn (John) Brown, nephews Arthur (Diane) Mezo, and James (Kelly) Mezo and their children.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at 11:00 am, at the Highland City Cemetery, 6200 W 11000 N, Highland, Utah.