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John Deme, born in New York in 1914, married in Massachusetts to Hazel Reilly in 1937, died Wednesday, February 17, 1999. He is survived by his wife of 61 years; sons, J. Howard Deme and wife, Carol Lynn and Alan Deme; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, all residents of Albuquerque. John was educated in primary schools in Connecticut. He attended Newark College of Engineering and City College in New York, taking special courses allied to communications. He received private tutelage from Professor Howard B. Shultz at Yale. John's chosen lifelong career in broadcasting led to operating, managing and owning radio stations throughout several states on the east coast. He worked in close co-operation with Major Armstrong, pioneering FM radio. In the early days of television, John worked at the Allen B. DuMont TV Station WABD and CBS Labs in New York. In 1953, he received the B'nai B'rith Outstanding American Citizenship Award. In 1954, he received the American Legion Distinguished Service Award. He served as President of the Norwich Exchange Club in 1953, he lectured a ten-week course on radio and television for Willimantic State Teachers College. From 1958-1963, John established and operated WINF Radio in Manchester, CT. The opportunity to own a TV station motivated him to move with his family to Carlsbad, NM, where he purchased and operated KAVE TV, Channel 6 from 1963-1966. Thirty-one years ago, again a pioneer, John launched KZIA AM/FM, giving Albuquerque its first radio station with an all talk format, one of only three in the country at that time, a leader in its day. Cremation has taken place and a reception will be held Saturday, February 20, 1999, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE.
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