Born in Ste. Anne Manitoba on March 21, 1947, Don left this life as he lived it, with great dignity, on March 13, 2013 in Victoria BC. He is mourned by his wife Andrée Chénier and son Gabriel Chénier Demers; his sister Linda Demers Friesen and brother Gilbert Demers (Annette Bouchard); niece Vanessa Noël (Marc, Ben and Max) and nephew Evan Friesen. He also leaves good friends and family in British Columbia, Manitoba and across the country. He is predeceased by his parents, Omer Demers of Ste. Anne Manitoba and Rolande Demers (Barrette) of Fannystele Manitoba.
Don started his distinguished career in criminal justice as a Living Unit Officer at Drumheller Institution in 1973. He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Alberta (1978) while working as a Parole Officer in Edmonton and as a researcher for the Programs Branch of the Solicitor General of Canada. During the course of his career, he conducted research projects and directed major policy and operational initiatives in corrections at the federal and provincial levels, ranging from the implementation of the Young Offenders Act to the reorganizations of correctional systems in Manitoba and British Columbia. His management experience included Head of Manitoba Corrections, Head of BC Corrections, Regional Deputy Commissioner (Pacific) Correctional Service Canada (CSC), and Senior Deputy Commissioner (CSC). He was acknowledged by his peers across the country for his leadership, insight, judgment, integrity, skills in reorganization and fiscal planning, and his dedication to the public interest.
Notwithstanding his commitment to duty, Don’s transition to retirement in 2007 was an easy one. Don was a lover of the written word, a student of history, a birdwatcher, and traveler — he loved Paris best of all, he would walk for miles, observe, and learn. He was a maker of lists, a great romantic. He had a lifelong interest in sports, played baseball and football as a youth and young adult and loved baseball parks and road trips. He had a wonderful sense of humour and quick wit that delighted all who came in contact with him.
The four years following his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer were precious ones. Though fraught with difficult periods, he took advantage of the time to pursue the activities he loved and spend time with the people dearest to him.
He cherished his time with his beloved wife and son.
He was a humble and gentle man.
Mass and Interment in Ste. Anne Manitoba will follow at a later date. Donations may be made to the Correctional and Justice Programs of the Salvation Army. Condolences or memories of Don’s life can be directed below.
41 Responses
I’ll remember Don for his kind support to the ICCLR Canada-China criminal justice cooperation program during 1997-2007. He will be remembered as one of the Canadian pioneers who helped Chinese reformers to borrow the best practices of Canadian corrections by generously sharing his knowledge and experience.
inI am saddened to hear of Don’s passing. He played an important part in the province of BC. I will always remember our discussions and all the planning on napkins that we participated in together.
Je suis avec vous Andree et Gabriel, dans ces moments difficiles recevez mes plus sinceres condoleances.
Il y a bien des annees depuis que j’ai connu les parents a Don a Ste-Anne, Man. Mes parents, mes freres et soeurs furent de grands amis; nous avons grandi ensemble. Les fin-de-semaines en soleillies nous permettaient d’organiser un picnic sur leur terrain boise, tout pret de leur maison.
Comme cette note ouvre a de beaux souvenirs. La necrologie me permet de connaitre le fils d’Omer et Rolande, quel bon garcon qu’ils avaient.. Bon courage! Simone Dubois-Duguay, St.Boniface. Man.
I will forever remember Don. As a graduate student, Don worked in the Population Research Laboratory when I was the Director. Diane and I met Don in Munich and shared joy at the Octoberfest in 1978 and traveled together to Austria to visit Salzburg and Innsbruck. A great researcher and friend.
Andrea and Gabriel, be sure to talk to Don because he will hear you
Ma chère Andrée,
J’ai appris récemment la triste nouvelle du décès de ton mari. Il est très difficile de perdre un être si cher. Je partage ta peine et je te prie d’accepter mes plus sincères condoléances.
Bon courage!
Don and I were both in graduate school at the University of Alberta many years ago. I was very sorry to hear thst Don had passed away. He was a very fine person with a wonderful sense of humour.
To Andree and Gabriel — please accept my condolences.
Bill
It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Don Demers. Don, Andree, and Gabriel were our neighbours for ten years, and we remember Don as a man whose quiet dignity and humour enriched the neighbourhood. He set a standard of courage, grace and helpfulness that we all can strive to follow.
Our thoughts go out to Andree and Gabriel, and we wish you peace
and comfort.
My sincere condolences to Don’s family, friends and colleagues. Don was just finishing his doctoral studies when I first went to Alberta and I deeply appreciated his easy and warm interaction with me and other newcomers to the department. I remember his humour and his wonderful stories about Lac Ste Anne, and I am proud of the way that he applied his training at the University of Alberta with grace, dignity and intelligence.
I first met Don back in 1979 when he was teaching the course on correction policy at Carleton University. As a student, I also had the opportunity to work with Don on different policy assignments including one of the first Canadian projects that examined criminal justice expenditures. Don was not only a mentor and very influential in my career and others, he was probably one of the best policy scholars in the justice field. Thank you Don! My deepest and sincere sympathy to Andree and the family.
Dear Andree, Gabriel and families,
Our deepest and sincere sympathy to you. We are so grateful that we were able to have such a beautiful visit with you and Don last summer at Osoyoos. Don was a special friend of both of us, dating back to Dan’s U of A days and as colleagues at Drumheller Institution. We remember with fondness his wonderful sense of humor and his gentle spirit. He will forever remain in our hearts.