Raymond J. Demers

Raymond J. Demers affectionately known as 'Banjo Ben' LOWELL Raymond J. Demers, 89, widower of Laurette T. (Morin) Demers and Hazel (Denault) Demers, a resident of Chelmsford, formerly of Lowell, died Thursday November 29, at a local nursing home. Raymond was born in Lowell on June 28, 1918, a son of the late Noel and Eglantine (Jean) Demers. He was educated in Lowell, and attended Lowell Technical School, and the Wentworth Institute in Boston. Ray was employed by the Boston and Maine Railroad in Somerville, as a machinist, retiring in 1978. Ray was a communicant of the former Notre Dame de Lourdes Church in Lowell. He was an avid Banjo player known to many as "Banjo Ben." He also enjoyed Bingo and was a member of the Lowell Senior Citizen Club, and also held membership in the United Association of Machinist and Aerospace Union. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Richard R. and Hang Demers of Boston; three daughters and sons-in-law, Dianne T. and Ernest Vandal of Dracut, Pauline A. and Walter Nizza, Therese Y. and Edward Bruce, all of the Villages, FL; a stepbrother, Rev. Andrew Houle, OMI of Tewksbury; a sister-in-law, Estelle Demers of Dracut; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Fernand Demers, and Reina Isabelle. DEMERS Raymond J., 89, of Chelmsford. Relatives and friends may call at the McKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth St., from 3 until 6 PM on Sunday. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday morning at 9:30 AM in St. Margaret Church, 374 Stevens St. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Michael Conference, 543 Bridge St., Lowell, MA 01850. For directions and condolences, www.mckennaouellette.com