Robert “Bob” D. Demers, 92, of Decatur, Alabama and formerly of Massena, New York, passed away peacefully Friday, April 10, 2026, surrounded by family.
A funeral mass will be held at a later date. Elkins Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family. Bob was born on December 31, 1933, to Eli and Aldia Mayville Demers. He attended Sacred Heart School and Massena Central High School. Bob started work at an early age on a local farm. Following graduation, he began an apprenticeship at Alcoa and worked on the St. Lawrence Seaway Project. In 1955, he married the love of his life, Shirley Kinch. Bob joined General Motors and enjoyed a career of several decades before his retirement. Bob was a lifelong learner, master gardener, and avid hunter. He was devoted to his wife and family, instilling strong values and dedication to faith. Bob and Shirley enjoyed traveling and spending time with family in their retirement years. He was a self-taught computer enthusiast and preserved years of memories with his vast collection of pictures. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; his sisters, Vivian Boley and Lillian Dufresne; and his brothers, Adrian, Raymond, and Peter. He is survived by his children, Debra Demers, Michael Demers, Sandy Thomas (Charlie), and Scott Demers (Vickie); grandchildren, Joshua Thomas (Taylour), Elizabeth Thomas, Sydney Demers, and Caroline Demers; and his great-granddaughter, Magnolia Thomas. He is also survived by his sister, Theresa Hannan; sister-in-law, Kay Demers; brother, Paul Demers (Sabine); brother-in-law, William Kinch (Bonnie); and a host of nieces and nephews. Bob lived a life of “no regrets” and felt he did the best that he knew how. He said life did not come with an instruction manual, so you lived and learned as you went along. Faith in God was foundational for him, and he felt that made all the difference. This is not goodbye; it’s “see you later.” You are invited to leave condolences at www.elkinsfuneralhome.com.