Paul L. Demers

Paul L. Demers, 93, of Sanford, died November 16 at the Newton Center in Sanford after a brief illness.He was born in Scott Junction, Quebec, Canada on July 22, 1912, a son of Edmond and Angel (Gosselin) Demers. He came to this area as a child and attended parochial schools here and in Canada.He served briefly with the US Army in 1933 in the Panama Canal Zone.He was employed over the years with the former Goodall-Sanford Textile Mills and in local shoe shops. He worked for the former Gendron Lumber, and then for over 20 years was a letter carrier on the east side of Sanford out of the Sanford Post Office, retiring in 1978. In his retirement, he was employed part time with Shaw's Supermarket.Mr. Demers was a well-known athlete and baseball umpire locally. In his younger days he played semi-pro ice hockey, and was given a tryout by the Boston Bruins. He also had a stellar career in baseball as a player, manager and umpire culminating with his induction into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame. He played on the first American Legion state championship team in 1921 which was based out of Alfred. He played on and managed semi-pro baseball teams all over New England, New York and in Canada. He was a charter member and past president of the Western Maine Board of Approved Baseball Officials and was an NCAA certified baseball umpire. He umpired baseball games into his 80's. In recognition of his many contributions to the game of baseball, he was invited to throw out the very first pitch for the Sanford Mainers franchise when they came to town several years ago.He was a member, past grand knight and longtime financial secretary for the Knight of Columbus in Sanford. He was a member and past president of the former Town Club in Sanford and a charter member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He was a volunteer at the Trafton Senior Citizens Center in Sanford, was an avid former state champion bowler and a Master of contract bridge.He was a communicant of Holy Family Church where he was a collector for many years.His family recalled how proud he was of his Franco-American heritage and of his hometown of Sanford. He always took great pleasure when a Sanford athletic team would beat a team from another town or city which was favored to win the game. He liked to root for the underdog.Mr. Demers was predeceased by an infant son Ronald and his first wife the former Florence Laurion in 1945.Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Dolores (Demers) Demers of Sanford, 2 sons, Raymond P. Demers of Summerfield, FL, David P. Demers of Springvale, a daughter, Anne D. Demers of Sanford, 6 granddaughters and 1 great grandson.Visiting hours will be held on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street, Sanford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 AM in Holy Family Church. Burial will follow in St. Ignatius Cemetery.Memorial contributions may be made to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, 280 Hillside Avenue, Needham, MA 02494.Condolences may be expressed at the tab at left.