Steven (Philip) Demers of Mansfield Center died in the arms of his beloved wife, Kathryn, on September 23 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was born May 15, 1954 in Southbridge, MA, and grew up in Woodstock Valley, CT. Steve graduated from Woodstock Academy and the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Early in his career, Steve was employed as a chef at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. As newlyweds, Steve and Kathryn traveled cross-country, stopping along the way to work and enjoy everything America had to offer. For 33 years, Steve was employed as a chef by Dining Services at the University of Connecticut, ending his career at South Campus. Steve leaves his wife Kathryn (Clark) Demers, his son Joshua and wife Lauren of Cromwell, son Jason and wife Brianna and twin grandsons Jackson and Landon of Ashford, sister Karen Demers and her life partner Cheryl Bertocchi of Killingly, brother David of Woodstock Valley, cherished nieces and nephew, and his faithful dog, Tia. Steve was predeceased by his parents, Roland and Irene Demers of Woodstock Valley. Steve adored his family, particularly his new twin grandsons. He loved his extended family and spent many special moments with the Clarks, DeMaios, and Joneses. Steve was an enthusiastic cyclist and rode many miles with his brother-in-law Kenny Jones. He liked to golf with his good friend Dave Gould, and play poker with his brother-in-law Bob DeMaio and the rest of the group. The annual golf/poker outings to Cape Cod were legendary. Steve also leaves his “work wife” Grace Danso with whom he had a special relationship, and his good friends and neighbors, Butch and Carol Storrs, with whom he spent many happy hours mulling the meaning of life. Steve’s good humor, helpful demeanor, and constant, cheerful whistling, will be missed by all who knew him. Steve’s family would like to thank the Hartford Hospital ninth floor Neuro Trauma Unit and Conklin hospice staff for their enduring professionalism and loving care. You are angels. A celebration of Steve’s life will be held at a future date. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc., www.ahernfuneralhome.com.
Burial Memorial Contribution
To Kathryn and Family:
I was recently notified of Steve’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones. Steve was a very friendly, cheerful person to all and a pleasure to meet.
Steve was so loved by so many. He was such a wonderful and dear man. I’ll always remember his sweet smile and his kindness. My love to his family.
Cousin Patty
Steve always had a smile on his face and I always had nice talks with him in the kitchen at UCON. You will be sorely missed.
Wendy Baker
I never had the pleasure of meeting the man, but since he had a hand in raising such a fantastic son in Josh, he must have been amazing. Our sincere regrets for the entire family’s loss. Josh & Lauren, please take care.
I am so so sorry to hear of the passing of Steve. My Mom Fern Watne and I knew him well when we all worked together at the Faculty Alumni Center back in I would say in the late 70′s or early 80′s when Steve worked with Greg another cook and Jimmy Hendricks and I think also Linda Vargas was there too and I remember you well too Kathryn. Steve had a ponytail back when my Mom and I knew him and for whatever reason I think his nickname at the Faculty Club was Muskrat. Not sure if you remember us from the Faculty Alumni Center, but my Mom Fern and I both worked there for awhile and Steve was such a nice bright part of working at the Faculty Center. He had a great sense of humor and would sit with us waitresses many times during our lunch time. Great great guy so sorry to hear of your loss. Please email me when you will be having a memorial service for Steve as my Mom and I would like to go if possible.
we will be gathering on Oct.27 for a picnic/bonfire to celebrate steve and a life well lived…please join us at 114 union rd (rte,171 west) eastford, ct come anytime after 11:00 dress warmly all outdoors
8604237894
We send our love to all of the loved ones left behind. We enjoyed Steven’s contagious, positive zest for life. We’ll continue to keep him in our prayers and thoughts. We’re sure Steven is with his wonderful parents “above”, initiating a “good time”.
We send our condolences to all of Steve’s family. We enjoyed his humor and contagious, positive attitude toward life. Also, we know that Steven is with his parents probably initiating a ” good time”. We’ll continue to pray for him and those loved ones he left behind.
Steve had a full and happy life. The “Beaver” was loved by all his family, and we’ll always remember his great sense of humor, love for nature, life and family. There are no easy words to convey to the family he loved, but know that we share in your grief and embrace you in your sorrow. May the love of God comfort you and may His peace and hope give you strength, and may the memory of Steve be eternal. He will be missed by all- Cousin Laura & John
I am so sorry to hear of cousin Steve’s passing. He was a kind and loving man. May you have peace in knowing he is never truly far, and he will always be in your hearts and memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God bless
Kathryn and family, I am so sorry to hear of this loss. I hope that Steve is now watching.over you all in your time of sorrow and that he is at peace. My prayers go out to you all.
To all the family of Steve, especially to Brianna and Jason, I just want to say that I know how hard saying good bye under these circumstances is. It is so bitter sweet. While I did not know Steve personally, I know Brianna and I can imagine how grateful Steve was to have met and held the twins for even the short time he was able to enjoy them. Our sincere sympathy and support is sent your way. Here should you need anything. o
Dear Kathryn and Family-Know that your loss and sorrow,at this time,is felt throughout the campus community. Please know you are all in our prayers. I will surely miss the daily whistling from the other side of the kitchen, always heard all the way into Catering. There is a hole in our house now. Again, love and prayers. ~Dorothy
TO KATHRYN AND KAREN AND THE ENTIRE DEMERS FAMILY, MY SINCERE SYMPATHY FOR YOUR LOSS AT THIS TIME OF SORROW. STEVE WAS A GREAT AND GENTLE MAN AND ALWAYS FUN TO WORK WITH. I WILL MISS HIM DEARLY. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE DEMERS FAMILY. MOST SINCERELY PETTY GRESH
I graduated from UCONN in 1982 and Steve was the cook at my dorm–Jefferson House in Towers Campus! Steve was WONDERFUL!!!! All of us students loved him..he was funny, friendly, and an all-around great guy! He was an amazing cook…I ate things that he made that I would never try before! I’ve remembered him fondly over the years. My sympathy to all his family and friends. We’ve lost one of the good guys!
thanks for remembering him…..he loved and enjoyed the students
My heart goes out to the entire Demers Family and his friends. I never met Mr. Demers but I can evidence what a great man he was thru his son Joshua. After reading this I only wish I had gotten the opportunity to know him.
Josh my heart breaks for you, losing your Dad is so very hard, I know. I am thinking of you and Lauren at this time.
Love Kim
I’m very sorry to here the loss of my cousin Steve. He was a good man and would make us laugh with his sense of humor. Our family gives our deepest condolences.
To The Family & Friends of Steve,
Words can not express how much we feel your loss. He was a gift to life. We only had the pleasure of meeting him a few times, but he had such a way about him, you couldn’t forget. Our thoughts and prayers are with you ALL at this difficult time. May you ALL know he will be with you. May he rest in peace & peace be with you. Sue & Steve
Lots of love to all of the demers family. So sorry for your loss.
My heart aches at the sadness I know you are all enduring. Pls know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers. Josh, pls give your Mom a hug for me.
My heart breaks for the entire family. I know how close you all are and the depth of the love you spread on one another. Your strength will get you through this extremely tough time. May god bless you all, and may his newest angel watch over you always. ~ Nicole and Edwin