When those most familiar with Trinity heard the name "Joe," they knew who it was referencing. The impact that Joe Demling '68 had on Trinity High School during his four decades here is immeasurable.

Joe's first work at Trinity began as a young boy when he was held upside-down from his ankles by his uncles to paint a hard-to-reach portion of a new press box at Trinity Stadium. His commitment to Trinity continued when he followed in his brother Moe's (Trinity, 1960) footsteps and enrolled at Trinity in 1964. Joe worked in Trinity's work-study program all four of his high school years.

In 1973, then athletic director Rev. Harry Jansing hired Joe temporarily during a work stoppage at his full-time job. Joe never left Trinity after that, rising to being manager of our facilities until his death on June 6, 2008. At the time of his death, he was preparing to serve as mentor to his successor while still managing Trinity's concessions during the 2008-09 school year, all while battling cancer.

During Joe's last weeks, the Demling home on Trinity's campus was a hive of visitors coming to lend support and words of encouragement. Great stories told revealed a loving husband, father and brother; a youthful rascal; a doting grandfather; the most loyal of employees; an ardent Trinity supporter; and an admired man. His funeral was held at Trinity. Several hundred well-wishers attended to honor the man who held Trinity together for so many years. Joe was counted to do everything needed to keep the campus working. Whether it was babysitting an aging boiler through a bitterly cold night, setting up for an event after already working 15 hours straight, patching a roof, scrimping and saving, or working with vendors and contractors, Joe never shied from work. That's what he knew and did.

Joe was more than a facilities manager. He also instinctively knew the importance of good alumni relations, supporting the student body, meeting teachers' needs and selling the school to prospects. He dealt seamlessly with changing administrative structures (working solely for the Athletic Department and then the whole school, working for priest leaders and then lay leaders, working within the president-principal model) and administrators.

In addition, Joe participated fully in the campus renaissance that took place starting in 1999. New buildings, expanded borders, renovations in every space on campus all transpired over 10 years. Joe also organized the Sandy Newman Memorial Golf Classic (Alumni Golf Scramble) for more than 25 years and helped with Trinity's Wednesday Night Bingo games from the 1960s until its final season in 1999.

Joe approached his work with an equal balance of determination and fun. His work was of immeasurable importance to him, but he made time for fun. Joe loved hitting golf balls, giving Derby picks and visiting Las Vegas. He always had a gleam in his eye and a ready joke.

Joe was also a fighter. This tough, St. Joe Butchertown kid did not stop fighting. Never. Despite all the surgeries and treatments, he never stopped planning for when he was well.

The Trinity Alumni Association honored Joe in 1993 with the Honor Alumnus Award. His colleagues at Trinity recognized him numerous times with the annual Staff Service Award.

In January 2007, the Trinity High School Foundation named Marshall Stadium's home-side concession stand "Joe's Place." Also, patrons at the 2008 celebraTion dinner-auction established the Joe Demling Endowed Scholarship Fund, allowing Joe's name, example and memory to remain forever present to the Trinity Family. Joe and his wife, Sharon, have three children (Jody, Trinity, 1989; Angie, Mercy, 1991; and Amy, Assumption, 1996) and six grandchildren (Jessica, Tanner, Jenna, Julia, Cassidy and C.J.). They also have a daughter-in-law, Angela Demling (Sacred Heart, 1989) and two sons-in-law, Rick Laemmle (St. Xavier, 1992) and Corey Taylor (Trinity, 1995).

Inducted 2008

D- Hall of Fame

Bruce Deckel

Joe Demling Sr.

George Demling

Jody Demling

Jerry Denny

Craig DeSensi

Stanley J. DeVore

Jim Dockter

Reverend Ron Domhoff

Tom Dubay

The Reverend Thomas Duerr

Ray Duran Jr.