Dick DeMerse, June 13, 2017
Historic Saranac LakeBorn: July 31, 1926
Died: June 28, 2020
Married: Marilyn Miller
Children: Lee Ann DeMerse, Diane DeMerse
Richard DeMerse was a World War II veteran; he lived at 59 Riverside Drive.
After World War II, he worked as a bellhop at the Hotel Saranac. He later worked at Trudeau Institute for more than 45 years,
Returning home from service in World War II, Dick found himself in need of a job and, because so many war veterans were already back in the United States, he found jobs a bit scarce. Enter Eleanor Munn, the manager of the Hotel Saranac and, in Dick's words, "a real peach." Although Dick had no hotel experience, Eleanor was a great friend to many returning veterans and she gave Dick a job: "hopping bells" as he puts it. Mrs. Munn explained to Dick that the job was important, as bellhops were "the best ambassador for the hotel we have," and he took her words to heart. Dick says he was polite, met a lot of great people and that it was "the best job I ever had." Some of Dick's best memories include the tremendous 1947 Serralles-Montalvo wedding, the guests for which took up four floors of rooms, and his adventures operating the elevator. (See the first clippings on the P. J. Serralles page.)
Dick had a good laugh relating one particular story about "hopping bells:" at the time, bellhops were paid $15 a week, but after a state inspector came by and found out that the bellhops were operating the elevator (which at that time still involved a hand crank and the need to stop the elevator at precisely the right spot), in addition to all of their other duties, he insisted that the hotel pay the young men the standard rate for elevator operators: $19 a week. This dramatic raise was surely appreciated by the hardworking bellhops.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, July 1, 2020Adirondack Daily Enterprise, July 1, 2020
Richard P. DeMerse
Richard P. DeMerse, age 93, of Saranac Lake, died Sunday, June 28, 2020 at his home following a brief illness.
Born in Saranac Lake, New York on July 31, 1926, he was the son of Leo and Doris (Watson) Demers. Richard married Marilyn Miller on July 31, 1948 at Church of St. Luke, the Beloved Physician in Saranac Lake.
As a young man, Richard had worked as a bellhop for the Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake. He also worked at for 21 years at Keough Marina refinishing wood boats, several of which are on display at the Blue Mountain Lake Museum. He later worked at the Trudeau Institute in Saranac Lake Maintenance Department for over 47 years.
Richard was a member of the Saranac Lake Fish & Game Club Marksman Pistol Team and in 1997 was awarded a life membership for dedicated services to the Saranac Lake Fish & Game Club. He is a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the World War II from 1944-46 and the Air Force Reserve as Airman First Class and was honorably discharged from the reserves Feb. 14, 1954.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years Marilyn of Saranac Lake, two daughters Lee Anne DeMerse of Vermontville, and Diane DeMerse (Joseph Delaney, Jr.) of Hollywood, Florida, one brother Dean DeMerse of Ft. Deposit, Alabama, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and William, and one sister, Alice O’Hare.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. There will be no calling hours. Funeral services and internment will take place at the convenience of the family in Pine Ridge Cemetery in Saranac Lake.
Friends wishing to remember Richard P. DeMerse may make memorial contributions to the Trudeau Institute in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.
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