Donald R. Demers

Ware - Donald R. Demers, 85, of Ware, husband of Elaine (Harper) Demers passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family and friends on Saturday October 9th, 2021 after a year of fighting cancer and heart disease.  Donald was the son of Rene and Laura (Dubois) Demers. 

He was an on-call firefighter for several years before becoming a full-time firefighter for 34 years.  He also worked part time in the mills where he learned many skills from the people he worked with. He had many stories to tell about those days and he never forgot the wonderful people who taught him so much. After retiring he spent 24 years with Encompass, formerly Healthsouth, where he made many friends and enjoyed the friendships he made there. 

Donald was predeceased by his wife of 30 years Patti (Hrapek) Demers, his parents Laura and Rene, his sister Reinette and her husband Francis Chrabascz along with four grandchildren, Christine, Mary Patricia, Macie Grace and Anthony.  Besides his caring wife Elaine, Donald is survived by his two sons, Larry and his wife Holly of South Dennis and Scott and his wife Jackie of Belchertown; his two daughters, Joanne and her husband Brian Fitzgerald of Ware and Lisa Richards of Framingham;  his step-children, Larry McCloskey Jr. and Deb of Stafford Springs, CT, William and his wife Wendy McCloskey of Somers, CT, Michael and his wife Deidriene McCloskey of Vernon, CT and Carol Ann and her husband Douglas Piccoli of Stafford Springs, CT; his 25 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews; a brother-in-law, Tom and his wife Joanne Brunton, a sister-in-law, Dorothy Lennox and sister-in-law, Carol and her husband Raymond Rivard. 

Donald was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was always there for all of us and enjoyed building over 30 rocking horses for his grandchildren and other family members.  His happiest days were spent with family, always putting a smile on his face. Thank you to his many friends who have been here for him throughout his life and especially during his last days when he needed them the most. Thank you to all the wonderful people at the D’Amour Center, Wing Hospital, Encompass and Hospice for helping with his care. We will be forever grateful. 

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of His Life at All Saints Church in Ware on Thursday October 28, 2021 at 10:00am with burial to follow at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Macie Grace Foundation, 127 Hampden Road, Somers, CT, 06071 or at www.maciegracefoundation.org

Charbonneau Funeral Home of Ware is assisting with arrangements. 

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