A benefit for Tony D.

Everyone in town knows Tony D. — or has seen him, anyway.

A Lynbrook resident who works in East Rockaway, Tony is a friendly face at the Gulf gas station on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Main Street. Tony chats with friends and strangers alike, and talks about their families, their holiday plans and the price of gas.

Unfortunately though, Tony, 46, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer and most recently, liver cancer. But fortunately, Tony’s friends have rallied around him and his family, and have planned a fundraiser. Tony, as he says, is a lucky man. “Without them,” he said, “I wouldn’t be able to make it through.”

More than two years ago, Tony was treated for colon cancer and underwent chemotherapy. He tested clear of cancer a year after that. While taking a blood test for a knee injury, the doctors found a baseball-sized tumor on his liver. The cancer did not travel to his lymph nodes, so, in November, Tony will undergo surgery to remove 3/4 of his liver. The remaining healthy 1/4 should regenerate on its own, doctors told Tony. “The doctors said that just five years ago, they couldn’t resection livers the way they can now,” Tony said. “There is a 90 percent success rate.”

This time around, Tony has been out of work for four months, and expects to be out for another five months after the surgery — and the family’s bills are mounting. He is most concerned with the upcoming mortgage payments.

Word got around about his cancer, and about his financial woes. His friend, Jackie, a nurse and an East Rockaway resident, said they should start a benefit for him — and they did.

Tony Demarinis is married to Donna, and they have four children: Jackie, 23, Blake, 17, Tyler, 13, and Shannon, 6. The family lives in Lynbrook.

The Benefit for Tony D. will be held at The Fishery, One Main St., East Rockaway, on Oct. 11, from 1 to 4 p.m.

There will be live entertainment, raffles, music and more. The fundraisers are seeking a D.J. to donate his or her time and talents for this worthy cause.

A suggested donation of $30 per person, which includes an open bar and open buffet, is requested. For more information call Tracy Oloughlin at (516) 581-5630.

Comments about this column? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.