Gerard Andre Demers, 89 years old, of Manchester died January 26, 2016, 2 days short of his 90th birthday, at the Elliot Hospital after a long happy life and a short period of declining health.
Gerry was born on January 28, 1926 in Manchester. He was the son of Hector and Laura Demers.
Gerry will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, father-in-law and friend to many. Family members include his wife of 60 years, Lorraine Demers of Manchester; three children, Diane LaRose and her husband, Chris, of Manchester, Doreen Lewis and her husband, Peter, of York, ME and Dan Demers and his wife, Jennifer, of Virginia Beach, VA; four grandchildren, Alexandria Lewis, Tyler Lewis, Colin Demers and Kyle Demers; his only surviving brother, Rev. Fr. Francis Demers; and several nieces and nephews.
Gerry graduated from Manchester Central High School, where he learned to play and love the game of football and where he received two varsity letters and was named all-state in 1944.
He was the owner/operator of Demers Upholstery in Manchester, where he leaves a legacy of beautifully upholstered furniture around the greater Manchester area and beyond.
He was also in the National Guard of New Hampshire from 1949-1951.
In his retirement years, he was an active member of the Derryfield Country Club and many may remember him as the Starter for the past 20 years.
Gerry was the past president of NH Football Officials Association and was a member for 25 years. He officiated high school, prep school and college football games for 30 years, as well as officiating and working the clock at the New Hampshire Shrine Games.
He was an avid fan of the Puritan Back Room, where he looked forward to his daily meeting with his group of friends for coffee and discussions about politics and sports.
Gerry was a family man above all else. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren. He lived for family events and gatherings, and loved spending time with his grandchildren. He could be found at every hockey game, swim meet, ballet recital, tennis match, and soccer game for his grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at St. Catherine Church, corner of Webster and Hemlock streets, Manchester. Committal prayers followed at Mt. Calvary Mausoleum, 474 Goffstown Rd., Manchester.
Donations can be made in his memory to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 114 Perimeter Road, Unit G&H, Nashua, NH 03063