G. Philip Demers
DRACUT G. Philip Demers, 65, of Laconia, New Hampshire and Dracut, MA, passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, September 29, 2016. He was the beloved husband of Jane Murphy-Demers, with whom he would have celebrated their Twenty Eighth Wedding Anniversary this December.
A son of the late Andrew M. and the late Virginia (Morris) Demers, he was born December 16, 1950, in Lowell, attended St. Peter’s Grammar School, and graduated from Lowell Trade School, Class of 1970. He then attained his Associates Degree in Fire Science from Middlesex Community College.
He served with the United States Air Force as an E4 Sgt. from June 1970 to November 1973 as a Jet Engine Mechanic at Westover Air Force Base and at Utapao Air Force Base in Thailand receiving the Vietnam Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After his Honorable Discharge, he returned to Lowell.
Philip joined the Lowell Fire Department as a permanent firefighter in July of 1977 serving in his early years for Engine 4 on High Street. He later served for Ladder 4, West Sixth Street before being promoted in 1995 to Lieutenant. He continued to serve as a Lieutenant until his unexpected retirement in November of 1999.
His family was his pride and joy and he enjoyed cooking for all of them, especially in his home for his favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. In addition, he loved his motorcycle and was an avid New England Patriots fan. In his leisure time, he spent as much time as he could at his home in Laconia at Lake Winnipesaukee.
In addition to his wife, Jane, he is survived by his children, Sigourney Demers of Dracut, and Ian Demers of Dracut; his brothers and sisters, Andrew Demers and his wife, Marlene, of Dunedin, FL, Andrea DeAngelis and her husband, Michael, of Lowell, Frederick Demers and his wife, Donna, of Tyngsboro, Robert Demers and his husband, Juan Alvarez, of Tewksbury, Virginia M. Shay of Dracut, Maryanne Doster and her husband, James, of Tyngsboro, Ruth Ann Demers and Fiona MacDonald of Tewksbury, and James and Tammy Demers of Lowell; his nieces and nephews, Edward Demers, Karen Barry, Robert Silva, Sara Anderson, and Thomas Doster all of New Hampshire, Jennifer Demers-Tompkins of SC, and Christina Demers and Alexander Demers both of Lowell; as well as his uncle, James Morris of Tewksbury; and his aunts, Joan Bradanick of Tewksbury and Louise Donovan of Tewksbury, and Katherine Morris of Lowell; many cousins; along with his friends, Robert McLellan and his wife, Colleen, Phillip Masse and his wife, Denise, and Don LaFond and his wife, Julie.
He was predeceased by his brother in law, Richard Shay who died October 30, 2015.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 5 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON TUESDAY, AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816.
HIS FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT 8 P.M. TUESDAY EVENING.
FOLLOWING THE VISITATION. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, DONATIONS IN HIS MEMORY BE MADE TO PHILIP'S FAVORITE CHARITY, SALVATION ARMY, 150 APPLETON STREET, LOWELL, MA 01852.
