PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Laurier Wilfred Demers, aka Leo DeMers, son of Samuel Joseph Demers of Lewiston, and Eugenie Antoinette Nadeau of St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, died March 22, at Hudson Valley Hospital, in Cortlandt, N.Y.

Born in 1918 in the family home on Spring Street in Lewiston, he attended St. Joseph’s School and Lewiston High School. He was the first member of his family to earn a college education. He received a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University, and became a math teacher.

He taught math to Army Air Corps pilots in training in San Antonio, Texas, as a non-commissioned officer during World War II. He went on to receive a master’s degree in hospital administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

He married Virginia June Watkins of Pittsburgh, Pa., while they were both graduate students in 1953. As well as hospital administration and teaching, he also worked in various areas of public health and social work for the state of Florida, where he settled his family in 1960 and worked until retirement in 1977.

In 2000, after the death of Virginia, he moved to Westchester County, N.Y., to be near his daughter and grandchildren.

He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a skilled pianist, who started playing in public as a young child; he was always in demand for his musical skills, entertaining family and neighbors and accompanying a local chorus. He was also known for his excellent social dancing. His personality and “joie de vivre” will live on in the hearts of his family and friends.

He is survived by his daughter, Jean DeMers Gilroy, her husband, James Gilroy, and their five children, of Pleasantville, N.Y. He has 11 nieces and nephews originating from Lewiston-Auburn; and 16 surviving nieces and nephews originating from Pittsburgh, Pa.

He was predeceased by his sisters, Marjorie Hurley of Auburn, and Gloria Woodhead of Lewiston.