"Ski's" World "Ski" was many things to many people as you can see by these photos below.  Following you will see pictures of "Ski", and you can also read a couple of articles written about him in the local press.  Afterwards you can make-up your own mind about "Ski" and "who he was."  One thing's for sure however, he was definitely not your average man about town!  "Ski" Demski, founder and father to Superflag -"The World's Largest Flag" is no longer with us.  He requested that Superflag continue to be displayed across this great country for the Thomas L. Demski Trust, by Jim Alexander.   See:    for more details. (Click on any photo to see the full size image) Cover Up   If you had invited "Ski" Demski, (a well-known flag flyer) to a party, you would always enclose a dress code notice with that invitation.  Long Beach's (CA) Super-Patriot would show up at most events, wearing from the waist up nothing but his tattoos.  He had tattoos of eagles, flags, his favorite parrot, "Peppy", and even an unclothed woman.  Ski would give out little American flags at these events and joined others in singing, you guessed it: "You're a Grand Old Flag." "Ski's" Newest TATTOO! The giant tattoo that adorned the back of "Ski" Demski proclaims that he owns "The World's Largest Super-flag." and that this fact had been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.®  Ken Kwok Photo - Press-Telegram LONG BEACH - While most families were roasting hot dogs to celebrate Memorial Day, local resident "Ski" Demski was having his back inked with a likeness of the American flag.   He sat on a swivel chair at Bert Grimm's World Famous Tattoo on Chestnut Place, patiently waiting for his three-hour session to end.  Droplets of sweat rolled down the side of his face and into his flowing gray beard.  The pain was getting annoying. "Are we almost done yet?" asked hunched-over "Ski", his Greek fishing hat nearly falling from his head. Tattoo artist Rick Walters put one last touch of red around part of the tattoo's blue lettering, then told him it was all over.  The (then) 69-year-old "Ski" stood up and walked to a large mirror toward the back of the parlor.  Examining his tattoo for a good five minutes, "Ski" shifted side to side to get the best possible view of his back. The American flag, in the shape of the United States stretched across his skin.  Above it were the words Guinness Book of World Records, "World's Largest Superflag." "I changed my mind" he said with a hearty laugh.  Then he walked over to the counter gladly writing the artist a check.  In all, the tattoo cost about $1,000 and took about 10 hours to complete. Demski, a former mayoral candidate decided to have the patriotic image tattooed on his hack because he holds the title in the Guinness Book of World Records as owner of the world's largest flag 505 by 255 Ft.  He was also hoping to complement a flag tattooed on his chest about three years ago, it waves from a flagpole that was made out of a scar "Ski" carries from bypass surgery.  This Story By Paul Young The "Fake" Wake? Local eccentric "Ski" Demski lies motionless in a clear coffin during his "fake-wake" above, in downtown Long Beach on Friday.  About 100 people came to see him in the garage of his home. Demski chose St. Patrick's Day to perform his "fake-wake" because his good friend Clem Maloney died some years earlier on this day.  For the real deal, Demski wanted to be cremated, after a two-day wake and Mass at St. Anthony Church in Long Beach, which he received.  Then his ashes were put with Maloney's in his beloved flagpole, which supports the infamous giant flag on the corner of Fourth Street and Lime Avenue in Long Beach.  At right a view of Demski's back through the clear coffin.  Mr. Demski actually passed away on 19 January, 2002. By Jeff Gretchen / Press-Telegram Last Wishes! In life and in death, the super patriot "Ski" Demski is making sure no one forgets Old Glory.  Every day, the American flag continues to fly in front of his Long Beach, CA house. His chest and back are tattooed with elaborate Stars and Stripes, and he owns what the Guinness Book of World Records ® regards as the "World's Largest Flag," one that covers 2.8 football fields.  That huge American flag, manufactured in Pennsylvania in 1990, cost Demski $45,000.  He rents it for special events for $10,000. "It stands for freedom, and I love it," said Demski, who also wore the Stars and Stripes in a band around his head.  When he died, he wanted his friends to hold a wake in his garage, where his casket was surrounded by American flags.  Then, afterwards he was cremated, and his remains where placed in a vault inside the huge flag pole in his front yard.  He arranged for friends to live in his house and preserve his flag collection.   "It's so nice to see it waving," Demski said.   "I want that to continue." By Maria Elena Fernandes, LA Times Staff Writer "Ski" had his BUST made a couple of years ago for the special occasion, "what occasion", you ask?  Well, the "Fake Wake" of coarse!  It's a once-in-a-lifetime event, an opportunity of a lifetime, your finest hour, and don't forget pleasant dreams!  The bronze bust is of "Ski" and his "Polish Eagle" Peppy, and "Ski" standing with sculptor Larry Stokes.   "Ski" Demski, founder and father to Superflag -"The World's Largest Flag" is no longer with us.  Mr. Demski passed away on 19 January, 2002.   Superflag will continue to be displayed across this great county for the Thomas L. Demski Trust, by Jim Alexander, as was direction in his Trust.   Please Note:  That we also have    and our very own    for sale!  We invite you view these colorful products by clicking on these links to view these products! 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