Louis A. Demely Jr., a retired Maryland Glass engineering draftsman, ended his life Aug. 15. The Westport resident was 89.
Friends said he had earlier suffered a stroke.
Born in Baltimore, he spent his life on Annapolis Road in the Westport neighborhood. He attended Westport Elementary School and was a 1945 graduate of Boys' Latin School.
As a young man, he assisted his parents — Louis A. Demely Sr. and his wife Mary — at their pharmacy and laundry.
Mr. Demely, an engineering draftsman, worked at the old Maryland Glass Co., a custom glass mold-making firm, for 24 years. The business was acquired by the Dorsey Corp. in 1968 and ceased production in 1980.
Friends said Mr. Demely had an interest in engineering and technology, and that drew him to closely follow the construction of the Wheelabrator Baltimore RESCO waste-to-energy facility off Russell Street.
The operators of the facility recognized his interest, and beginning in 1985, they hired him to conduct plant tours for visitors. They estimated that Mr. Demely escorted more than 30,000 people through the plant.
"His technical acumen, local knowledge and love of people engaged and enlightened visitors from all walks of life and from across the globe," said a colleague, Steve Tomczewski. "He led a long life of quiet simplicity, personal integrity and enduring friendship."
Mr. Tomczeski said Mr. Demely never owned a television or air conditioner.
"He had a radio and read a newspaper daily. He was well informed," he said.
Mr. Demely volunteered regularly at the Westport Elementary School's library. He was a self-taught expert on railway locomotion.
"Lou often offered frank and passionate observations on industry, politics and people — gleaned from his many hours with friends and colleagues and his faithfully tireless consumption of news," said Mr. Tomczeski.
Private services were held Saturday.
Mr. Demely leaves no immediate survivors.
—Jacques Kelly