Br Rene A Demers Fic

BROTHER RENE DEMERS, FIC, Died on Thursday September 1, 2011 at the Champlain Valley Medical Center, Plattsburgh, NY at the age of 80. He was born in New Bedford, MA, on August 31, 1931. His parents were Mr. Charles and Dora (Dubois) Demers. He entered the brothers of Christian Instructions in 1949 in Alfred, Maine. He made his novitiate in OKA in 1950. He was a brother for 61 years. Br. Rene manifested a great devotion to the founder of the brothers, venerable John-Mary De La Mennnais. He completed his Bachelor's degree at St. Francis College, Biddeford, ME. In 1952 he started his teaching career with a brief stint at St. Peter's in Plattsburgh, NY. He taught at St. Joseph's School, Waterville, ME, ten years in St. Louis H.S, Biddeford, ME, Denis Hall Jr. High, in Alfred, ME and three years in Msgr. Prevost High School in Fall River, MA. He was known as a very devoted teacher, who was close to his students. In 1969 Brother Rene arrived in Plattsburgh where he taught accounting courses at Mount Assumption Institute. He took charge of the Alumni Association. He took great pride in updating addresses of the Alumni with whom he kept in touch via "The Bridge" the school alumni newspaper. He faithfully clipped from the newspaper anything about the school or alumni. These 35 volumes are a great historical resource. He also enjoyed running a concession stand after school and at basketball games. In 1989 he was appointed director of foreign students for the newly created Seton Catholic Central. He was actively retired until several years ago when health issues started taking their toll. Brother Rene was first of all a community man; one could always call on him for a variety of tasks. He took great pride in decorating the residence and the house chapel. He had a green thumb; his garden was a source of beauty. He was interested in jigsaw puzzles, often framing them as gifts for his special friends. In the last four years he spent much time with his many friends at the Clinton County Senior Center, which he called his second home. In addition he had many long term friends from among his former students. He regularly volunteered for Seton Bingo on Saturday's and the Knights of Columbus Bingo on Monday's. God has chosen to take his faithful servant home. He will live on in the heart of his many nephews and nieces, alumni and friends. He will be especially missed by the members of his religious family, the Brothers of Christian Instruction. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Msgr. Morris L. Dwyer Council and Bishop Wadhams 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and St. Peter's Church. He is survived by one sister Jeanne Sukwa of Fairhaven, MA; special niece Carol Jean Baber of Howardsville, VA; special grand niece Camille Rojas and her children James Griffin and Alyssa Griffin and many other nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his brothers, Raymond, Richard and Robert and one sister Theresa. Calling hours will be Monday, September, 5, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at St. Peter's Church, Plattsburgh, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, September, 6, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter's Church. Vespers will be held Tuesday evening September 6, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. at the Notre Dame Chapel, Alfred Maine. Visitation will be on Wednesday September 7, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Notre Dame Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Notre Dame Chapel in Alfred, Maine on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Brothers of Christian Instruction Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the interment at the Brothers Cafeteria. Members of the Knights of Columbus Msgr. Morris L. Dwyer Council are asked to meet Monday at 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter's Church for services. Members of the Bishop Wadhams 4th Degree will provide an honor guard beginning at 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers kindly make donations in his memory to Brother Rene Demers Memorial Scholarship Fund to be established at CVCS Alumni Association of which Mount Assumption Institute is part of, 407 West Bay Plaza, Plattsburgh, New York 12901. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad Street, Plattsburgh. (518) 561-3980. Online condolences and memorial candles may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.