Harold J Demers

Funeral services for Harold Joseph (Frenchie) DeMers, 86, of Monroe, LA, will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, April 22, 2016, in the chapel at Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe, with Father Job Edathinatt officiating. Interment will follow at St. Matthew Catholic Church Mausoleum. Visitation will be Thursday, April 21, 2016, from 5:00 till 7:00 pm at Mulhearns.Harold Joseph was born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin to Alexander and Evelina on June 9, 1929. At the early age of 16 he worked on large vessels in the Great Lakes. On November of 1946, he joined the Air Force and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Later, he was transferred to Scot Air Force Base near Belleville, Illinois. After retiring from the Air Force, he attended Vocational school in Monroe and became an electrical journeyman, which he practiced for over forty years. His career took him all over the states from Yakima, Washington to Tybee Island in Georgia. Harold called Monroe, where he and his wife Anna raised two children, his home for the greater part of his life. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 446 and was recognized as being a 60 year member with this organization.At the age of 20, Harold met his future wife Anna Tornatore when he was invited to her home for a dish of “sooga.” In years to come Harold and Anna would prepare this dish for loved ones with a special Sunday lunch. Sharing almost 68 years of marriage, Anna died on July 31 of this past year. He was also preceded in death by his father and mother, Alexander and Evelina, four brothers Fritz, George, John, and Lester, and two sisters Irene and Avirl.He is survived by one son Jack DeMers and his wife Judy (Ellis) DeMers, one daughter Evelyn Ann Gilbert and her husband James Gilbert, all of Monroe, LA, four grandchildren Ashley Ann (Gilbert) Ussery and her husband Chris of Denham Springs, LA, Nathaniel Carson Gilbert and his wife Emily of Nashville, TN, Jack Christopher DeMers of Baton Rouge, LA and Patrick Ryan DeMers of Monroe, LA, great grandchildren Chloe Brianne Ussery, Noah Camden Ussery, Jonah Cohen Ussery, a new addition Benjamin Alvie Gilbert, born on April 17, 2016, and numerous loved ones.Frenchie enjoyed bowling, golfing, hunting and even sometimes fishing with his wife Anna. Fishing was dependent upon hearing when and where the fish were biting. He golfed with a team of old friends. Visiting Augusta National was a memory he always held dear. Hunting was a sport he shared with his son and other family members. He felt so very blessed when he was around family and friends. “I Love You' was a phrase that would often reach his loved ones ears. The DeMers family would like to express their appreciation to all the staff of the Northeast Louisiana War Veterans Home. Our Dad was part of a family that love and nurtured him through to the last breath of his life. Also, a special thanks to Paul Fontenot, supervisor of the Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs, who helped with financial support.Serving as pall barriers are Bubba Carter, Joseph Guirlando, Rocco Guirlando, Jesse LaPietra, Jim Ratcliff, and Jay Russell Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.comMulhearn Funeral HomeSterlington RoadMonroe, LA