Roland A. Demers, 79 of Winter Haven, FL and Derry, NH died July 13, 2007 at the Good Shepherd Hospice, Winter Haven. Roland was born in Manchester, NH on January 3, 1928 the son of the late Aime and Eva (Bettez) Demers. He was a lifelong resident of Derry, wintering in Winter Haven for the past 22 years. He had once been employed as a shoeworker for Chelmsford-Hardy Shoe Co., Derry until a fire destroyed the building. He was owner and operator of Demers Real Estate in Derry for 30 years. He was a communicant of St. Thomas Aquinas Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #3023 both of Derry. He was also an avid bingo player.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rita T. (Cote) Demers of Derry and Winter Haven, one son, David Demers and his wife Linda of Winter Haven, two daughters, Lori Davis and her husband William of Calais, VT, and Lyndi Demers of Belleair Beach, FL, one granddaughter, Lani Demers of Belleair Beach, also several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Pauline Darby in 1999 and by his brother, Marcel E. “Mike” Demers in 2003.
Calling hours were Thursday July 19, 2007 from 5 – 8pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. A mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday at 10:00am in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 26 Crystal Ave., Derry. Following cremation, burial was in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Manchester. Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, NH Chapter, 10 Ferry St., Suite 427B, Concord, NH 03301.