Final Salute

Dr. Demetrio Belmonte Nitafan (Dr. Dem) was born in San Manuel, Pangasinan, Philippines. He is survived by his lovely wife, three daughters, three son-in-laws, and nine grandchildren. He loved to attend dinner and dance events so he could dance the night away with his wife whenever he had a chance.

Dr. Dem started his professional career when he joined the U. S. Navy in 1963, retiring 20 years later as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. In 1982, after his distinguished and exemplary military service, he settled in Milpitas, California with his family where he showed outstanding service and dedication to the entire Milpitas community and its surrounding cities. His achievements, accomplishments and leadership are numerous, unselfish and superb.

Dr. Dem’s professional accomplishments include:

Owner – DEM Realty and Mortgage Company

National Director – The Travelers Protective Association of America in USA

California State Secretary-Treasurer and Past State President – The Travelers Protective Association of America – California Division

First President and Founder – Filipino American Real Estate Professional Association Inc.

President – Sinclair Horizon Home Association of Milpitas, California

Former Administrative (Auditor) Officer – Knights of Columbus California State Council

President – San Manuel Pangasinan Association of Northern California

Past Commander – Knights of Rizal of Silicon Valley Chapter

Past Board Member and Past President – Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Santa Clara County

President – Filipino American Association of Milpitas Incorporated

Former Board Member – Milpitas Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Dem’s charitable and religious services include:

First President and Founder (16 years) – Third Order of St. Augustine of Santa Clara County Chapter, a religious fraternity

Trustee and Past Grand Knight (50 years) – Knights of Columbus Saint John’s 5796

Lay Eucharistic Minister (45 years) – St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Lector (35 tears) – St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Dr. Dem was honored for his dedication to the City of Milpitas and surrounding communities, his love for family, his unselfish work toward the poor and the needy and respect to his fellowmen with the following awards:

2016 Milpitas Citizen of the Year – City of Milpitas

Leadership Award – Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Leadership Awards host by Assembymember Bod Weickoswski

State Family of the Year – State of California Knights of Columbus State Council

2018 Milpitas Veteran of the Year – City of Milpitas

International Family of the Year – Knights of Columbus Supreme Council (Worldwide)

International Service Program Award – Knights of Columbus Supreme Council

Fraternalist of the Year – National Fraternal Congress of America, having 100+ fraternal organization members

Dr. Dem valued education and was a lifelong learner. His educational background includes:

Doctorate of Business Administration, University of Phoenix, Glendale, Arizona conferred March 24, 2009

Dissertation Title: Characteristics of Leadership Styles Influencing Mortgage Fraud Reduction

Awarded Dissertation of the Year 2009

Awarded Alumni Impact Award, Community Impact, Bay Area Campus 2019

Master of Business Administration (Management & Accounting), University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg,

Mississippi conferred August 16, 1979

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi conferred May 19, 1977

Associate of Arts in Engineering, Palomar College, San Marcos, California conferred June 9, 1973