December 2, 1927 ~ October 11, 2010

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Raymond Joseph Demers on Monday, October 11, 2010.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years, Mary; his children Lucille (Gary) Brigden, Ray (Annie) Demers, Colette Demers (Tyler Murphy), Hubert (Marcella) Demers, and Leonard (Tracey) Demers; his grandchildren Leanna (Philip), Allen (Kyla), Charlene, Stacey, Joel, Nicole, Damien, Katelyn, Gabrielle, Dominique, Aidan, and Nathan; his great grandchildren Derek and Connor, a brother Paul (Connie) Demers and family, and a brother-in-law, Peter Tolhurst and two very special cousins, Marcel (Cecile) Lirette, and Emile (Denise) Lefebvre who were very helpful and supportive in many ways.

Ray was born in Bonneville, AB, the oldest son of Napoleon and Antoinette Demers, and one of the oldest of many, many cousins. He met and married Mary in Alberta before moving to BC in 1954. His work took him to many remote areas of the BC Interior.

Ray's working career ranged from selling vehicles and big machinery to owning and operating logging and road building equipment. He had one of the first 'cats' on both the Mica Creek Dam site and Afton Copper Mine. After his health failed, he spent many years involved with organizing, coaching, and managing sports in North Kamloops, minor hockey house and rep teams, hockey schools, and the Bantam Tournament. He also coached the OLPH Aces for many years and was instrumental in seeing Little League baseball and softball become each their own entity. It was also his dream and diligence that saw the Brock Arena/Pool Complex become a reality.
Ray was predeceased by his son Marc (1978), his parents Napoleon and Antoinette Demers, and his sister Pauline Tolhurst.

Prayers will be recited at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2010 in the Kamloops Funeral Home Chapel at 285 Fortune Drive. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 15, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church at 635 Tranquille Road. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

With much appreciation, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the BC Lung Association.

Arrangements entrusted to
Kamloops Funeral Home
250-554-2577

Condolences may be emailed to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com