Roger was born on May 15, 1945, to Joan (Couchman) and Raymond Demers in London, England where he lived for three years before the small family moved to Springfield, VT. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1963 and from American International College in 2006.
In 1967, Roger married his high school sweetheart, Judith Eko. They raised their two daughters, Kaarina and Kristi, in North Grafton, MA.
Roger had the "gift of gab" as his father put it. He could talk to anyone about anything. And listen to them with interest as well.
Roger’s primary career was as a salesman for which his ease of chatting attributed to his successes. He was an active member of the Grafton, MA community, a highlight being elected as a Town Selectman for which he enjoyed campaigning for. Later in life he became a teacher at Grafton Middle School, where again being comfortable talking made him instantly likable by both fellow teachers and students.
Roger was a lifelong amateur radio operator (W1JI) which allowed him to expand his gift of gab around the globe, spending countless hours communicating with other hams. His first radio was the Space Spanner, a kit he built himself as a teenager. For many years, Roger was involved with a Boy Scout Explorer Post in Worcester, MA focused on ham radio, as well as a Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor. He enjoyed sharing his passion and experiences with others.
In addition to his parents, Roger is preceded in death by his wife of over 57 years Judy.
He is survived by: brother Robert Demers and his wife Diane of Springfield, VT; daughters Kaarina Demers of Longmont, CO and Kristi Bathgate of Suffield, CT; son-in-law Jason Bathgate of Stafford Springs, CT; adopted son Michael Paradise of Mansfield, MO; grandchildren Maya Demers of Longmont, CO, David Demers of Lynnwood, WA and Quinn Bathgate of Suffield, CT, brother-in-law James Eko, cousins Lillian Govoni and John Donahue, beautiful nieces Michelle, Nicole, Melissa, and Alison.
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