[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 76 (Thursday, June 16, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         TRIBUTE TO FATHER JAMES M. DEMSKE OF CANISIUS COLLEGE

                                 ______


                          HON. JOHN J. LaFALCE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 1994

  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, as a graduate of Canisius College, in 
Buffalo, NY, and now as a member of its board of trustees, I am very 
proud of this Jesuit institution and appreciative of the positive 
contribution it has made to the lives of so many, including mine, in 
western New York. But I am particularly proud to have known and been 
associated with the Rev. James M. Demske, S.J., the dynamic and 
dedicated man who served as Canisius' president for 27 years and guided 
it through a period of tremendous growth, not only in its physical size 
but in its impact on the community.
  Father Demske died Wednesday evening and the city of Buffalo has lost 
one of its favorite, most productive native sons. He was an exceptional 
person, with tremendous energy, a winning personality and a smile that 
just wouldn't quit.
  When Father Demske retired as president last year, I suggested 
historians may come to call his administration the ``Demske Dynasty,'' 
during which the college's student body, academic program, physical 
plant, community outreach and reputation for excellence expanded 
dramatically. In the process, Father Demske became an institution 
within the institution and a household name throughout western New 
York.
  The Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., who succeeded Father Demske as 
president, said: ``Father Demske's death is a tremendous loss to 
Canisius College and to his many friends in the Canisius College 
family. Father Demske transformed Canisius from a small liberal arts 
college into a major comprehensive university.
  ``As chancellor, he played a major role in our fundraising efforts 
and in the planning of Canisius' 125th anniversary next year. He was a 
holy man, a distinguished educator and a dear personal friend. Canisius 
will miss his wise and gentle presence greatly.''
  Robert M. Greene, chairman of the college's board of trustees, said: 
``Father Demske was always fond of saying Canisius College was a 
family, and at a time like this, I realize how right he was. He was the 
head of the Canisius family for 27 years, and like a good parent he 
always provided both love and leadership. Like any family member who 
loses a parent, now that he's gone, you begin to recall many fond 
memories of Father Demske playing trombone at weddings, participating 
in family celebrations and being there for all of us during sad times 
as well. The best thing I can say about Father Demske is that he was 
both parent and priest. We will miss him immensely.''
  In summary, Father Demske was a very good man who helped make many 
lives much better.
  I would like to share with my colleagues the page one article that 
appeared in today's Buffalo News, detailing Father Demske's career, and 
the statement Canisius College issued.

Rev. Demske Dies After Long Illness--Led Canisius College for Nearly 3 
                                Decades

                            (By Karen Brady)

       The man whose name and face became synonymous with Canisius 
     College, the Very Rev. James M. Demske, is dead
       He died Wednesday night (June 15, 1994) in Sisters 
     Hospital, where he had been a patient since Monday. President 
     of the college for 27 years when he was elevated to the post 
     of chancellor in July 1993, Father Demske, 72, had suffered 
     from chronic leukemia since May 1992. He had led Canisius, 
     his alma matter, longer than any college president in New 
     York and had been a Jesuit priest since 1957.
       Since assuming the newly created post of chancellor of the 
     college, he had concentrated on relations with alumni and 
     friends in the community, continued to help to raise funds 
     for the college and assisted with plans for its 125th 
     anniversary in 1995.
       At the time of his death, he was working on a book, 
     ``Ireland, O, Ireland! Tales of the Great Gaeks,'' a 
     collection of vignettes from his travels in Ireland over the 
     years, to be published by the Western New York Heritage 
     Institute. Father Demske had returned to the classroom last 
     spring to teach a philosophy seminar at the college.
       ``Father Demske's death is a tremendous loss to Canisius 
     College and to his many friends in the Canisius College 
     family,'' said the Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, president of the 
     college. ``Father Demske transformed Canisius from a small 
     liberal arts college into a major comprehensive university.''
       A tall, unassuming man with a gentle manner and quick 
     smile, Father Demske was a diplomat and a scholar as well as 
     an administrator. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, 
     and the author of several books on philosophy and theology.
       Father Demske, considered a Jack Klugman look-alike, also 
     played the trombone--and bore the nickname ``Slush Pump'' 
     because of it, from his high school days into his eighth 
     decade.
       He even played the horn at his own presidential 
     inauguration the weekend of Oct. 21, 1966--and sang as well 
     at such events as Buffalo Night in Florida.
       As the 22d president of Canisius College, Father Demske saw 
     the endowment fund soar from slightly over $1 million in June 
     of 1966 to more than $27 million today. Enrollment also rose 
     dramatically during his tenure as president--from 2,937 
     students in the fall of 1966 to nearly 5,000 in the fall of 
     1992.
       Father Demske presided over the construction of such major 
     facilities and buildings as the college's Churchill Academic 
     Tower. Koessler Athletic Center, Health Science Center, Bosch 
     Hall and Residents' Dining Hall, as well as an $8 million 
     addition to the Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library.
       The college's $5 million athletic field, the Demske Sports 
     Complex, was completed in 1989--and bears Father Demske's 
     name.
       In addition to major renovation of old buildings, Father 
     Demske also oversaw the purchase of the old Mount St. Joseph 
     building at 1908 Main Street, the construction of 30 units of 
     student housing at Main and Humboldt Parkway and the 
     acquisition of several area residences now used as student 
     housing.
       The Canisius curriculum, which stressed liberal arts when 
     Father Demske came to the college, became heavy in business 
     offerings during his presidency. A master's program in 
     business with several areas of concentration was added, and 
     the college's Institute for Management Development was 
     established.
       Other academic strides during Father Demske's tenure 
     included courses in computer science, management information 
     systems and educational computing.
       For nearly three decades, Father Demske also held lion's 
     stature within Western New York's secular community--
     belonging to, supporting and taking part in countless civic 
     and social organizations, causes and events.
       A native of Buffalo, he attended St. James Catholic School 
     and was a 1939 graduate of St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, 
     where as a senior, he scored 100 per cent on the Latin 
     Regents examination. For the next three years, he was 
     enrolled at Canisius College.
       He joined the U.S. Army in 1942, and saw service during 
     World War II in Africa and Italy before his discharge, as a 
     captain, in 1946. He then returned to Canisius, graduating 
     summa cum laude from the college in June of 1947.
       The next month, he entered the Society of Jesus at Andrew-
     on-Hudson in Poughkeepsie. In 1951, he received a licentiate 
     degree in philosophy from Woodstock College in Maryland, then 
     taught philosophy for three years at St. Peter's College in 
     Jersey City.
       His studies also included four years of theology at the 
     University of Innsbruck in Austria, as well as three years of 
     philosophical studies at the University of Freiburg in 
     Breisgau, Germany.
       Father Demske was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1957, and 
     received a licentiate in sacred theology at Innsbruck in 
     1958. He completed work for his doctorate at Freiburg in 
     1962, then was made master of novices and director of Jesuit 
     seminarians at Bellarmine College in Plattsburg.
       When he returned to his alma mater, Canisius College, as 
     its president in 1966, he became the third Buffalonian to 
     head Buffalo's Jesuit college, still the largest private 
     institution in Erie County.
       He presided over the college's centennial in the 1969-70 
     academic year, an event that marked the college's evolution 
     from a sectarian to a predominantly lay institution with a 
     broad-based, ecumenical curriculum.
       Father Demske, who said Mass daily, was known for spending 
     private time with the ill, and with grieving families. Also 
     known for his humor, he was never above a chuckle at his own 
     expense.
       In 1991, when he observed his 25th year as Canisius' 
     president, he took a Buffalo News reporter to a hallway at 
     the college ``flanked with presidential portraits.''
       ``I'll hang here someday after I'm gone,'' he said, 
     ``unless we change the custom and hang me ahead.''
       Father Demske was a golfer whose partner on the links, NOCO 
     Energy Corp. president Reginald B. Newman II told The News 
     that it once took 25 minutes to walk from the locker room at 
     a private club to their table at the club's restaurant 
     because Father Demske stopped to talk at almost every table 
     along the way.
       More than 500 persons turned out for the college's 1991 
     Regents Ball--honoring Father Demske's then-quarter century 
     as president.
       More than 1,000 attended a special Mass of Thanksgiving and 
     farewell breakfast for Father Demske in June 1993 as he ended 
     27 years as Canisius president.
       The man and the priest was also honored by countless 
     organizations and groups, among them the National Conference 
     of Christians and Jews which gave him a Brotherhood Award in 
     1973 and a Citation Award in 1988.
       The Buffalo News made him a Citizen of the Year in 1971.
       Father Demske held honorary doctorates, from both Canisius 
     and D'Youville Colleges.
       A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. 
     Monday in St. Michael's Catholic Church, 651 Washington St. 
     Burial will be in Martyrs Shrine, Auriesville.
                                  ____


    Rev. James M. Demske, S.J., Chancellor of Canisius College, Dies

       Buffalo, NY.--Rev. James M. Demske, chancellor and former 
     president of Canisius College, died tonight at Sister's 
     Hospital (Buffalo, NY) following a brief illness. He was 72 
     years old.
       ``Father Demske's death is a tremendous loss to Canisius 
     College and to his many friends in the Canisius College 
     family,'' said Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., president of 
     Canisius College. ``Father Demske transformed Canisius from a 
     small liberal arts college into a major comprehensive 
     university. As chancellor, he played a major role in our 
     fundraising efforts and in the planning of Canisius' 125th 
     anniversary next year. He was a holy man, a distinguished 
     educator and a dear personal friend. Canisius College will 
     miss his wise and gentle presence greatly.''
       Father Demske, who retired as president of Canisius College 
     in June of 1993 after nearly 27 years in that post, was 
     diagnosed with chronic leukemia in May of 1992. At the time 
     of his retirement as president, Father Demske had earned the 
     distinction of being the longest-tenured college or 
     university president in New York State and one of the 
     longest-tenured in the nation.
       As chancellor, Father Demske continued his efforts to 
     develop strong and meaningful relationships with alumni and 
     friends of the college, and worked to develop the needed 
     resources for the college's long-range projects.
       ``Father Demske was always fond of saying Canisius College 
     was a family, and at a time like this, I realize how right he 
     was,'' said Robert M. Greene, chairman of the board of 
     trustees at Canisius College. ``He was the head of the 
     Canisius family for 27 years, and like a good parent he 
     always provided both love and friendship. Like any family who 
     loses a parent, now that he's gone, you begin to recall many 
     fond memories of Father Demske playing trombone at weddings, 
     participating in family celebrations and being there for all 
     of us during sad times as well. The best thing I can say 
     about Father Demske is that he was both parent and priest. 
     We will miss him immensely.''
       A Buffalo native, Father Demske was a graduate of St. 
     Joseph's Collegiate Institute (Buffalo, NY) and Canisius 
     College. His education at Canisius was interrupted when he 
     left school to serve overseas in the military during World 
     War II. He returned after the war and completed his bachelor 
     of arts degree in 1947, the same year he entered the Society 
     of Jesus. He earned a licentiate in philosophy from Woodstock 
     College (Woodstock, MD) in 1951; a licentiate in theology 
     from the University of Innsbruck (Austria) in 1958; and a 
     doctorate from the University of Freiburg (Breisgau, West 
     Germany) in 1962. He was ordained to the priesthood in 
     Innsbruck in 1957.
       After teaching philosophy at St. Peter's College in New 
     Jersey from 1951-54, Father Demske studied in Austria and 
     Germany for seven years. In 1963, he was named director of 
     the Jesuit seminarians at Bellarmine College (Plattsburgh, 
     New York). He returned to his hometown and alma mater in 1966 
     to serve as president and rector of Canisius College.
       During his years as president of Canisius College, his 
     steady guidance proved critical to the college's growth and 
     vitality. New academic programs strengthened the curriculum. 
     Physical plant changes were most dramatic. Bouwhuis Library 
     tripled in size thanks to an $8 million renovation. In the 
     summer of 1989, a $4.5 million state-of-the-art outdoor 
     athletic complex was completed. The long-awaited ``home 
     field'' was named in honor of Father Demske in tribute to his 
     tireless efforts on behalf of Canisius College. Eight new 
     buildings, including two student housing complexes, were 
     added to the campus to keep pace with the college's growing 
     student enrollment, which realized a 70 percent increase in 
     undergraduate and graduate students combined. Also under 
     Father Demske's leadership, the college's endowment fund grew 
     from $1 million in 1965 to over $27 million at the time of 
     his retirement as president in 1993.
       Known for his scholarship as well as his leadership, Father 
     Demske was a noted author, having published three books and 
     numerous articles on a wide variety of topics ranging from 
     metaphysics to a history of Canisius College. At the time of 
     his death, Father Demske was in the process of publishing a 
     book through the Western New York Heritage Institute entitled 
     Ireland, O Ireland! Tales of the Great Gaels, a collection 
     of vignettes from Father Demske's travels in Ireland. He 
     also had recently returned to the classroom, teaching a 
     philosophy seminar last semester to juniors and seniors.
       Father Demske's contributions to the larger society have 
     also been well recognized. He has held key leadership 
     positions with numerous Western New York organizations 
     including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Buffalo 
     Fine Arts Academy, Buffalo Urban League, Hospice Buffalo, and 
     Western New York Public Broadcasting Association. His 
     guidance helped strengthen the Western New York area 
     culturally and provided a broad vision for its future.
       Among his many honors, Father Demske was named Outstanding 
     Citizen of the Year by The Buffalo Evening News and 
     Goodfellow of the Year by the Courier-Express in 1971. The 
     Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce recognized him as Western 
     New Yorker of the Year in 1986 on the occasion of his 20th 
     anniversary as Canisius' president. He received the St. 
     Joseph's Collegiate Institute Signum Fidei Award as an 
     exceptional graduate. He also was a Distinguished Alumnus of 
     Canisius, and in March of this year was named the 1994 
     recipient of the Canisius College Board of Regent 
     Distinguished Citizen Award.
       Well known for his avocation as a trombonist, Father Demske 
     often performed at college functions and was a member of the 
     Buffalo Jazz Association and the American Federation of 
     Musicians.
       Father Demske is survived by a sister-in-law, Mrs. Richard 
     (Arlene) Demske, several cousins, nieces, nephews and 
     grandnieces, and a grandnephew. He was the son of the late 
     Albert J. and Augusta (Nagel) Demske and brother of the late 
     Richard Demske.
       Father Demske will be waked at Christ the King Chapel on 
     the Canisius College campus on Saturday from 7-9 pm., Sunday 
     from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm; and Monday from 2-4 pm. A Mass of 
     Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michael's Church 
     (Washington Street, Buffalo) at 7:30 pm on Monday. Private 
     interment will be at the Martyrs Shrine (Auriesville, New 
     York). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Father 
     Demske's name to the Loyola Scholarship Fund at Canisius 
     College.

                          ____________________