Peter T. Demetriou, first vice president of the Professional Insurance Agents of New York State Inc. and incoming president-elect, died Sunday of a heart attack. He was 55.
Mr. Demetriou, who resided in Hempstead, N.Y., was to be inducted as president-elect of PIANY at the association's annual business meeting today. The session was postponed until further notice.
"Peter was a good friend and a respected leader in New York's insurance community," said N. Stephen Ruchman, PIANY president, in a statement. "His passing is an enormous loss to our industry and our association. We send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."
Mr. Demetriou was president of the New Windsor Insurance Agency in Hempstead. He was an active PIANY board member since 1998, and served the association as first vice president from 2004 to 2005.
He was also a leader and member of multiple PIANY committees, including chairman of the industry liaison and government affairs committees as well as former chairman of PIANY's Long Island Regional Awareness Program.
Mr. Demetriou also served as a director of the Council of Insurance Brokers of Greater New York, a member of the Professional Insurance Wholesalers and of the Queens County Insurance Professionals Inc. He was on the board of directors for The First Rehabilitation Life Insurance Company of America.
In 2000, he received PIANY's Louis A. Morelli Award for Agent of the Year. In 2003, he was awarded the Man of the Year by CIBGNY.
An association spokeswoman said PIANY has not determined his replacement and would not do so until after his funeral.
Visiting hours will be from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow at Fairchild & Son Funeral Home, Manhasset, N.Y. Funeral services will be held Friday.
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