By Albert Amateau
Renato DeMaria, a retired principal of New Dorp High School in Staten Island and a resident for the past 17 years of Christopher St. in the West Village, died Mon., Feb 5, in Lennox Hill Hospital at the age of 75.
A biology teacher and head of the science department at New Dorp, the high school from which he had graduated in 1949, he became acting principal of the school in 1983 and was named principal in 1986.
He established a conflict-mediation program for the school, where tense race relations and violence had previously forced class cancellations, according to the Staten Island Advance.
He moved to 165 Christopher St. after he retired in 1990, according to Elaine Goldman, co-chairperson of the Christopher St. Block Association.
“He was a valued member of the community,” Goldman said.
His partner, Arye Sivion, of Christopher St., survives as well as a sister, Lucille Misunas, of Staten Island, two nieces, Lisa Misunas and Anita Omdahl, and a grandniece, Arielle Omdahl. The funeral was 11 a.m. Fri., Feb. 9, at St. Ann’s Church in Dongan Hills, S.I., and burial was in St. John’s Cemetery, Queens. Donations may be made in his memory to Leukemia and Lymphoma New York City Chapter, 475 Park Ave. S. 10016.
