Normand Romeo Demers

Lewiston, ME - Normand R. Demers of Lewiston, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. His wife of nearly 75 years, Lauretta A. (Lachance) Demers, passed away on March 10, 2024. He leaves behind his three children: his son, Ronald N. Demers, and his two daughters, Diane L. Griffith, and Louise C. Lanois.

Normand loved being surrounded by his family and friends and felt blessed whenever his seven grandchildren and his eleven great grandchildren were with him. He will be forever remembered for his ultimate devotion to his family and the love he shared with others.

Normand was born on March 27,1927 in Providence, RI. He was the son of Alpha Demers, also from Providence RI and Louise Cyr, of Seigas Canada. His parents moved to Lewiston to find work when he was a young boy. His father was a professional house painter and wallpaper hanger for Morin’s Painting. His mother Louise worked in various mills, including the Cabot mill in Brunswick, Maine. Normand was educated at Holy Family parochial school and then attended Lewiston High School.

In December 1944, he joined the Navy. He served on the CHESTER T. O’BRIEN (DE 421), a Destroyer Escort ship docked in Manila. The primary responsibility of his ship was to travel to various military bases in the southern Philippines islands to transport soldiers back to Manila. As the end of the war approached, the DE 421 was the last ship deployed to transport the soldiers out of the South Pacific and facilitate their final trip home. Normand was discharged as a QuarterMaster Third Class on July 16, 1946.

Once home, he worked in various manufacturing industries and eventually began working for the Charles A. Eaton shoe factory as the cutting room manager. Normand became the President and CEO of Etonic and was highly regarded as a leader in the shoe industry. He facilitated the growth of the company, from primarily golf shoes to the explosive new running shoe industry, where he became an avid runner himself. Given his commitment to his health, walking with friends at Bates College, he said he wanted to live to be 100. He nearly got his wish.

Normand also served as VP for Stride Rite shoe and consultant to Rockport and New Balance shoe companies. As a consultant, he facilitated the openings of the NE factories for New Balance. He then established the Demers Leather Company Inc. and for 28 years, along with his son Ronald, represented some of the world’s top shoe component suppliers, and the shipping leather to businesses and crafters worldwide. Normand was also the first American to travel to a remote Russian village to provide guidance for its shoe factory on cost and profit making.

Normand loved to travel, and with Lauretta by his side, they saw the world and drove around the country with cherished friends and relatives. Their most cherished trip was driving in their converted van from Maine to Alaska. They also loved working and playing at their camp, RonDiaLou. The doors at camp were always open and all were welcomed with open arms. He was also very involved in community and Veterans affairs. He was the Board President of the Holy Cross Credit Union and was one of the founding members and President of the Maine Chapter of the Destroyer Escorts military organization.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at The Fortin & Pinette Group, 217 Turner St, Auburn, ME from 4 – 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 11 am at Holy Cross Church, 1080 Lisbon Street Lewiston, ME, with committal prayers and military honors to follow at St. Peter Cemetery, Lewiston.

Please visit www.FortinPinetteGroupLewiston.com to sign Normand’s guestbook and leave memories and condolences for the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be sent to www.maineveteransproject.org (MVP) or www.theiris.org (the Iris Network Vision with no limits)