Charlie Demarest passed away on March 30 following a period of declining health and a short hospitalization at the Rutland Regional Medical Center.
Charlie Demarest was born in Randolph, Vermont, on Aug. 3, 1948, the first son of Harrison Bowles Demarest and Ruth Cooley Demarest. In 1951 the Demarests moved to the Haskell section of Wanaque, New Jersey, where he attended public school through the 8th grade before entering Lakeland Regional High School where he graduated in 1966. At Lakeland, Demarest excelled in sports. Despite sustaining a serious knee injury while playing freshman football, he went on to earn varsity letters in both basketball and baseball. He recalled his childhood in Haskell as one of the best times in his life. He remained close to many of his childhood, high school friends throughout his life and communicated through the “Haskell’s Rascals” website. He always loved to reminisce about the old days in Haskell.
After high school, Charlie Demarest attended Saint Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont, graduating in 1970 with a BA in business. While attending Saint Michael’s, he played both basketball and baseball in his freshman year.
Following his college graduation, Demarest began his career with the Factory Insurance Association before accepting a position with the risk management division of Marsh and McLennan. He worked his way up to a division management position in their Boston office, but he did not enjoy working in the corporate world. Being very independent by nature, in 1981 he returned to Vermont. He first came to Killington as a weekend skier and he wanted to make it his home.
He and his wife, Marsha, ran a ski lodge for one season before starting their first business, Demarest’s Shops and Services in Pittsfield, Vermont. While building a successful business, Charlie Demarest immediately became an active member of the community, volunteering his time and energy. He served two terms as a Selectman in Sherburne, Vermont (now Killington). He was also a member of the first responders, and served on the planning board. He was particularly proud of his role in helping plan the Green Mountain Golf Course in Killington, believing it was very important for Killington become a four-season resort.
After several years in business, Demarest returned to school, earning a BS in Engineering at the University of Vermont. He worked at IBM in Burlington for a few years before opening the Waterwheel Trading Company in Killington, Vermont. He like being his own boss and the challenge of running his own business. He also liked getting back to the Killington community where he had many friends. He remained there for the rest of his life.
Always a sports enthusiast, Charlie became an avid skier during his college years, an activity he continued through much of his life. Later he took up golf and became an avid golfer. He loved listening to “the oldies” and hanging out in his “mancave” with his cats Woliver and Mollyanne, and reminiscing about his days in Haskell. A special interest was researching the history of the DuPont plant in Haskell.
Charles Demarest was protective of his family, especially his mother, with whom he visited with great regularly while she was in an assisted living facility in Randolph. What really set Demarest apart was his network of friends. Not only did he maintain lifelong friendships with his high school and college buddies, he also had a strong network of friends in Killington. He had great loyalty to his friends who knew him as a guy with a heart of gold. Charles will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
Charlie is survived by his two loving brothers, Richard Demarest from Boise, Idaho and Brian Demarest from Woodstown, New Jersey, three nieces and two nephews as well as two great-nieces and one great-nephew, many cousins and friends.
Given the current pandemic, events to celebrate Charlie Demarest’s life will take place at a later date. These events will be widely published once effective planning can occur. Online condolences may be left at dayfunerals.com. Arrangements are by Day Funeral Home.
