MANCHESTER, N.H. — Richard A. (Dick) DeMars Sr. Beloved husband, father and great-grandfather known to most as “Papa.” Dick has gone to be with the lord on Good Friday, March 25, 2016, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with lung disease.
Dick was born in Lynn on Nov. 16, 1936, to Wilfred DeMars and Ruth (Moore) DeMars. He was born the fifth of 10 children, served in the National Guard and resided in Saugus until he married his lifelong love Marilyn (Tetrault) DeMars. Dick worked in construction for many years for Charles Wills Construction. He started and ran his own business (DeMars Construction of Lynn) for 30 years before retiring to Manchester, N.H., to be near his four treasured granddaughters to watch them grow up.
He enjoyed travel to Canada, Hawaii and Bahamas and around the country, but mostly enjoyed a good campfire with family and friends telling stories and memories. In his younger years, he enjoyed waterskiing and taking late-night swims in the lake.
He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, William, Arthur, Ronald, Robert and sisters Carol, Diane and Arlene.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of 59 years; daughter, Darlene Noyer and her husband David of Manchester; his son, Richard DeMars Jr. and wife Sandra of Barnstead (both formerly of Manchester); his four beautiful granddaughters, Vanessa DeMars, Kelley Noyer, Andrea (DeMars) Bergeron-Rosa and Ashley (Noyer) Critchett, and his newest joys in life, his two great-grandchildren, Isaac Bergeron-Rosa, age 3, and Sawyer Critchett, 1 month, step great-grandchildren, Gabrielle and Brody Critchett and Dick’s brother Paul DeMars of E. Hampstead; sister, Janice Pelletier of Derry and many nieces and nephews.
“Papa, you will be greatly missed — and always a big part of our lives.”
Service information: Calling time Saturday, April 2 at 10 a.m., at St. Pius X Church, 575 Candia Road, Manchester, with a Mass to follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Dick to the American Lung Association, Attn: Memorials, 1661 Worcester Road, Suite 301, Framingham, MA 01701.