Nicholas R. “Corky” DeMarco January 19, 1948 - July 08, 2016     Nicholas R. “Corky” DeMarco embraced life and those he loved. He died unexpectedly early Friday, July 8, at his home in Pinch. He was 68. His loss is profound to family, friends, associates and West Virginia. Surviving are his wife, Catherine, sons, Matt DeMarco and Joey DeMarco and his wife, Katie and their daughter, Eliza; his stepson, Jason Milano and his wife, Sohini, and their son, Arjun; his sister, Cathy, and her husband, Wib Wood. He was born in Charleston in 1948, the son of the late Nicholas and Betty DeMarco. He graduated from Charleston Catholic High School and West Virginia State College. DeMarco devoted himself to his family while he worked tirelessly with innumerable friends and business associates to create economic opportunities in his native state. He became executive director of the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association in 2002, dramatically built its membership during the past 14 years and promoted natural gas development, which created economic benefits and employment opportunities for thousands of West Virginians. Previously, he had a long career as an administrator in the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. He joined the administration of Gov. Cecil H. Underwood in 1997 and served as director of operations. DeMarco’s family and friends knew him for his quick wit, humor and keen political and governmental insights. Most of all, they remember him for his loyalty and integrity. He believed in caring for his family and community. He fought passionately for his beliefs. He would rather help a friend or stranger than acknowledge any difficulties he may have had. He spoke plainly, truthfully and insightfully. He was comfortable meeting in corporate boardrooms, managing government agencies and trekking to rivers and through forests to fish and hunt. He fondly recalled his sons’ athletic endeavors and respected their professional accomplishments. He was a proud husband, father, stepfather and grandfather. His family life often centered around the kitchen and the remarkable meals he and Catherine prepared for family and friends. After the DeMarcos’ Pinch home flooded last month and they worked to recover, he volunteered to help others overcome their flood-related losses. For that reason, the DeMarco family encourages friends to donate to the ongoing flood-relief efforts. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, with a visitation for the family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.     --Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home & Crematorium, Charleston WV               WV oil and gas leader Corky DeMarco dies at 68               By Sarah Tincher, Energy Reporter - WV Illustrated - July 8, 2016               Nicholas “Corky” DeMarco, 68, who served as the executive director of the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association for more than a decade, was found dead of an apparent heart attack in his Pinch, West Virginia, home early July 8, WVONGA has confirmed. DeMarco began working with WVONGA, which represents more than 200 oil-and gas-related companies in West Virginia, in November 2002. During his time as executive director, the organization said, DeMarco made significant contributions to the oil and gas industry, beginning with helping producers commit to working together to address their common challenges, as well as the concerns of their stakeholders throughout the state. His commitment helped the organization grow from 39 active members in 2002, to more than 225 members at the time of his death. “On behalf of WVONGA's Board of Directors, Executive Committee and its members, we are truly saddened by the sudden passing of Corky Demarco, our long-time executive director," Kevin Ellis, WVONGA president, said in a statement. "We would like to express our sincerest condolences to Corky's family and will support them in any way that we can during these difficult times. "Corky has been the face of our industry for many years. He served the Association and its members with enthusiasm, professionalism and with a genuine love for the work he did on our behalf," he continued. "Corky will be missed.” A lifelong resident of West Virginia, DeMarco didn't begin his career in the oil and natural gas industry, previously working as the director of operations for the state of West Virginia under the late Gov. Cecil Underwood. However, that certainly didn't appear to stifle his passion for the industry. "DeMarco believed that more jobs, more revenue, and more people were needed for the Mountain State to thrive and reach its full economic potential," WVONGA detailed in a news release. "He worked tirelessly to help West Virginia’s policymakers, lawmakers and citizens across the state understand and support the role that natural gas development and new pipeline construction could have for the manufacturing, job growth and revenue boost that was so desperately needed by West Virginia and its citizens." DeMarco is survived by his wife, Catherine; two sons, Matthew and Joey; stepson Jason Milano; and two grandchildren.