Ski Demski, a quirky Long Beach character and owner of the World's Largest Flag, was found dead in his home on Saturday, January 19. We reported on Ski in September, 2001. The coroner is performing tests to determine the cause of Ski's demise. He had been in poor health, and was discovered lying on the second floor of "The Pole" (his house) by two friends who were helping take care of his birds.

According to the Long Beach Press-Telegram, when Ski's body is released his friends hope to abide by his wishes: he will "lie in state" for two days in a glass coffin in his garage. Then Ski will be cremated and his ashes placed inside the 7-foot eagle atop the 132-foot flagpole outside his home.

UPDATE: A low-key funeral mass was held for Ski in a Catholic church. His cremated remains were placed in the flagpole eagle.

[01/21/2002]