Onofrio Mark Demichele

Mark was the son of Aldo Nino DeMichele, an undocumented Italian immigrant, and Dora Carno DeMichele, a worker in the local school cafeteria. From an early age, Mark had ambitions and he knew he needed to fund them himself. He ran numbers for his “Uncle Marco,” a Don in the local Syracuse Italian community, he worked summers at the Stickley Furniture factory where his father was a foreman. While attending Syracuse University he sold pots & pans at in-home parties and learned to be a fabulous cook along the way. He graduated debt-free and has been debt-averse ever since.

Mark’s early career in advertising & public relations led to a position with his client, Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. in Syracuse, NY, where he rose to become vice president. A chance encounter in 1977 resulted in a life-changing decision. Two vacant barstools and a lengthy weather delay found Mark next to the head of Arizona Public Service Co. They spent the hours swapping stories about the utility industry. By the time they announced all-clear to board, Mark had been invited to come check out Arizona and the company.

He joined APS a few months later and started a new chapter in his life. On his first day he met an employee from the communications department who was there to interview the new boss. Her name was Barbara Stanley. They married 4 years later.

Mark ultimately became CEO of Arizona Public Service Co., a position he held for 11 years, retiring in 1997. During his tenure the company was awarded the industry’s highest honor, The Edison Award, recognizing the electric company whose accomplishments contributed the most to the growth and development of the industry. In addition to APS, Mark also served on the boards of several publicly-traded companies including America West Airlines, Pinnacle West Capital Corp. and Ontario Power Generation. Throw a stone in downtown Phoenix and you’ll hit an arts or civic organization he chaired (United Way, Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Opera Co., Herberger Theater, Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Leadership, Downtown Phoenix Partnership).

Following his retirement from APS Mark moved to Coronado, CA, with his wife and youngest daughter, Gia. He was there a week before he was asked to serve as the CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, an economic development agency serving 17 cities in the Phoenix Metropolitan area, a position he held until the end of 1998. He then followed with a venture into commercial office development in Arizona and California as part of Urban Realty Partners.

True to form, when he finally settled in Coronado Mark became involved in the local community. In 2000 he and Barbara chaired the Coronado Historical Association’s capital campaign raising more than $2 million for renovation of the building that houses CHA’s offices, museum, gift shop and restaurant. A decade later he headed the successful capital campaign for Christ Church Coronado to upgrade and enhance security for the Day School and bring critical infrastructure of the historic church and its campus up to code.

In the San Diego community he served on the Board of Directors of Episcopal Community Services, a social service agency, and served three years as President, during which time he helped restore financial stability to the agency. He was recruited by the Episcopal Bishop of San Diego to work with congregations experiencing operating and property challenges. In this position he was responsible for the restoration of two historic churches—raising the funds and directing restoration work.

Mark led many cultural, civic and social services organizations over the years, but his overriding interest was healthcare. It started with a term on the St. Joseph’s Medical Center board in AZ which led to 23 years of board service with Catholic Healthcare West (later Dignity Health) in San Francisco. In 2021 he was part of the executive team that negotiated a merger with Catholic Health Initiative to form CommonSpirit Health, the largest non-profit Catholic healthcare system in the country.

For his self-proclaimed final chapter he and Barbara returned to Phoenix in 2015, to be closer geographically and personally to family & friends, they continue to split their time between Coronado and Arizona. He is predeceased by his parents, brother Frank, and first wife Faye. He is survived by his wife of 43 years Barbara, their daughter Gia DeMichele (Brandon Borsheim), and his sons Mark A. DeMichele, Christopher DeMichele and daughters Michele Mathna (Ed), Julianne Dirk (Barry) and six grandchildren and a great granddaughter.

Funeral services followed by reception will be in Coronado, CA, at 4 p.m., Oct. 3, at Christ Episcopal Church, corner of 9th & C Ave. A Celebration of Life will be held in Phoenix November 8. Contact the family for information. If you want to honor Mark, please donate in his name to Christ Episcopal Church Coronado or St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation in Phoenix.