Ben DEMAS

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DEMAS: It is with broken hearts that the family of Ben Demas, age 62, beloved husband of Cathy and adored father of Mary announce his unexpected death at the Brandon Regional Health Center on Tuesday, December 4, 2012. Ben always called Brandon home. He was born in Redvers Saskatchewan and at age one moved with his family to Brandon. He was predeceased by his father Joseph (1970), mother Melonia (1979), sister Suzanne (1995) and his father & mother in-law Lawrence and Mary Turton (2005). Ben received his schooling at St Augustine School and Neelin High School. In his elementary years he served as an Altar Boy and for the last few years was a member of the St. Luke’s Society at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church. At a young age he began his career as a psychiatric nursing assistance at Brandon Mental Health Center. In 2005 Ben retired from the Center for Adult Psychiatry after 37 years of service in the field of mental health. Ben made lifelong friends from his years of work at BMHC. It was there that he met his life companion Cathy in 1982 while she was a psychiatric nursing student. They were married in 1985 and the greatest joy in his life was the birth of his precious daughter Mary in 1989. Ben was a devoted family man and his girls were his priority. Ben loved the outdoors from his early years of fishing, hunting and snowshoeing with his dad, to the landscaping of yards with the purchase of each new home. He had a love for flower gardens and rose bushes were essential. His love will be in each of his budding roses this coming spring. Most of all he enjoyed camping with his family. Each spring the countdown was on to the May long weekend when another season of camping would begin. Ben looked forward to the time spent with his family and friends each year at their seasonal campsite. Prayers were said at Memories Chapel, 330 18th Street North, on Monday, December 10, 2012. Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church, 327 - 4th Street, Brandon on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 with Rev. Fr. Kevin Smith as Celebrant. Pallbearers were Tyler Byczkowski, Chuck Dalgaleish, Mike Dodds, Dwight Edwards, Lorne McDonald, and Wade Yuen. Interment was Wednesday December 12, 2012 at Brandon Cemetery. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Ben may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation - "A Sense of Home" Campaign, 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, MB R7A 2B3 or the Brandon Humane Society, 2200 17th Street East, Brandon, MB R7A 7M6.Though your smile is gone forever and your hand we cannot touch, we have so many memories of the one we loved. Your memory is our keepsake, With which we'll never part, God has you in his keeping, We have you in our hearts.Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre,204-727-0330

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 29, 2012