C. Kenneth Demers, 87
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Clarence Kenneth "Ken" Demers, 87, of 625 Middle Road died Sunday evening, May 31, 2009, at North Adams Regional Hospital shortly after being injured in an automobile accident in Clarksburg.
Born in Clarksburg on April 18, 1922, son of Clarence and Elizabeth Marcoux Demers, he attended Clarksburg schools and Drury High School in North Adams.
He was an Army veteran of World War II.
Mr. Demers operated Demers Farm, a dairy farm, on Middle and Wood roads for nearly 50 years until his retirement. Considered an expert in draft horses, he was a member of the Eastern Draft Horse Association. He loved working with horses and gave draft-horse workshops for many years, including for students at the former North Adams State College during the 1970s. He was featured in an article on driving horses in Yankee Magazine in 1984.
He was a frequent participant in community events, giving horse-and-wagon rides to children and families.
His first wife, the former Barbara Jane Keyes, whom he married in March 1956, died March 18, 1978.
His wife, was the former Traute Buhr, whom he married Feb. 14, 1997, died March 21, 2000.
He leaves his daughter, Jane Moulton and her husband, Daniel, of Fort Ann, N.Y., 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Five other children, Beverly Ahola and Kenneth, Glen, Lee and Donald Demers, are deceased.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A memorial "Ride and Drive" for Mr. Demers will be held at a later date. Contributions may be made to the Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Department or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in care of Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247.
Painting of Mr. Demers by Gus Jammalo that hangs in Clarksburg Town Hall.