Benjamin Albert Demers
May 28, 1990 – September 18, 2016
MMN2 Benjamin Albert Demers of Auburn, Maine, a beloved son, brother, sailor and friend.
Benjamin Albert Demers 26, of Auburn died while serving his country in the US Navy on the USS Nimitz, on Sunday September 18, 2016, Bremerton, Washington.
He was born in Waukegan IL, on May 28, 1990, a son of Laurent and Penny (Albert) Demers.
Ben graduated from Edward Little High School class of 2008. Shortly after graduating he decided to follow his parents and join the US Navy. He has been with the Navy for the past 3 years, working his way up to MMN2 (Petty Officer Second Class).
Ben was very involved in politics and while in High School he was a delegate for the Democratic Party in 2008. He loved his pets, his family and was always fascinated with penguins. His witty sense of humor and wisecracks to most questions will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his mother Former Senior Chief Petty Officer Penny Douphinett and her husband Paul, his father retired Chief Petty Officer Laurent Demers and his wife Barbara of Auburn his five siblings: Rocky Brewer and wife Jacqui of Lewiston, Alex Demers and companion Savannah Lodge-Scharff of No. Andover MA, Antoinette Demers and fiancé Dave Darrow of Brunswick, Andrew Douphinett of Portland and Christopher Douphinett of Scarborough and two nephews Colby Brewer and Ethan Roy both of Lewiston.
You are invited to offer condolences and pay tribute to Ben’s life by visiting his guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com
Pictured: Penny Douphinett, mother, and Ben Demers
(photo courtesy of The Summit Project)
Shared from The Summit Project:
“Ben was born in Waukegan, IL on Memorial Day, May 28, 1990. After his father retired from the Navy when Ben was 4, the family moved to Auburn, ME where he grew up. He graduated from Edward Little High School in 2008 as a member of the National Honor Society. Ben was an avid reader who was working his way through the classics; his favorite book was The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky. Ben was the youngest of four. His 2 brothers Rocky and Alex and his sister Toni. His favorite things to do as a kid was to watch Power Rangers with the three of them and to build Legos with Alex who was his best friend throughout his life. Ben joined the Navy in 2012 to follow in his Mom and Dad’s footsteps. He was accepted into the nuclear power program and trained as a machinist mate. He was assigned to the USS NIMITZ in Bremerton, WA. Ben took his own life on September 18, 2016. Ben had a life-long fascination and love for penguins. He had an extensive collection of glass and stuffed penguins, an amazing number of penguin t-shirts and one of his favorite outings was with his brother Alex when they were at the New England Aquarium when it was feeding time at the penguin exhibit. Benjamin Albert Demers was a loving and beloved member of his family when he died unexpectedly in September 2016. He is survived by his parents Penny Douphinett (who only Ben called Ma) and Laurent Demers. His siblings Rocky, Alex, Toni, Andy and Chris. His step-father Paul Douphinett and his nephews Ethan Roy and Colby Brewer. He will be greatly missed by his many friends who will always remember him as the first to offer help, a smile and genuine concern for everyone’s well-being. Since all pets go to Heaven, Ben was met by his beloved dogs Alfie and Nugget and cat Tigger. On Thanksgiving Day, Ben’s siblings went out to the rock hill in our yard where they played as kids and picked out a stone that represented all the time they spent together.”
Add your loved one to the wall