Mr. Reny J. Demers, age 87, of Shelburne, NH, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at the Coos County Nursing Home in Berlin, following a lengthy illness with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia. Prior to his brief stay at the nursing home, he was cared for lovingly in his home by his devoted wife, Eva Jane Demers, with whom he shared 51 years of marriage.
Reny was born in Sanford, ME, the ninth of eleven children of Ernest and Yvonne (Gourde) Demers. He graduated from Sanford High School in 1951, and subsequently served in the U.S. Navy for four years. He then attended Gorham Teachers College where he received his Bachelor of Science in Education, as well as his Master’s degree.
Mr. Demers, as he was known to his students, was in the field of education for thirty-eight years, first as a social studies teacher and then as an elementary principal for thirty-two years. His last principalship was at the Edward Fenn Elementary School in Gorham, NH. He was a member of the NH Teachers Association and a life-long member of the National Education Association.
On June 15, 1966, he was married to Eva Jane Simmons by a Catholic priest in the Friendship, Maine Advent Christian Church. Reny, a devoted, loving, patient man of deep faith, was raised as a Catholic, and later became a member of congregational churches in Claremont and Gorham, NH. To quote Reny, “Above all, we know that much more awaits beyond this life.”
In addition to his wife Eva Jane, he leaves his two daughters: Lisa and her husband Andy Fuellemann; Ellen and her husband Todd Ross. He is also survived by his brother Roger Demers and wife Irene; mother-in-law Verena Simmons; three grandchildren: Phoebe Ross, Gwen Fuellemann, and Max Fuellemann; sisters-in-law Marian (Gerard) Demers, Ruth (Robert) Demers, and Doris (Alfonse) Demers; and Godson Mark DuBay; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by nine siblings: brothers Raoul, Fernand, Robert, Gerard and Alphonse Demers and sisters Clotilde Bemis, Lorraine Lawrick, Yolande Dubay and Jeanne Joyce.
Anyone who wishes may make a donation in his memory to The Gorham Congregational Church UCC, 143 Main St., Gorham, NH 03581.
Reny’s family appreciates the wonderful, loving care he received at the Coos County Nursing Home and by North Country Home Health and Hospice Agency, and the help and support of Pastor Bill Jones, John Russell, as well as other relatives, friends, and home helpers.
A Service of Remembrance and Hope will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 11 AM at the Gorham Congregational Church, 143 Main Street, Gorham, NH, 03581. Anyone who wishes may make a donation in his memory to The Gorham Congregational Church UCC, 143 Main St., Gorham, NH 03581.