Rutland Herald
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Charles Harrison Demarest KILLINGTON —
Charles Harrison Demarest (one of Haskell’s Rascals) passed away on
March 30, 2020, following a period of declining health and a short
hospitalization at the Rutland Regional Medical Center. Charlie was born
in Randolph, 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 Charlie attended public school
through the eighth grade before entering Lakeland Regional High School,
where he graduated in 1966. At Lakeland, Charlie 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. Charlie 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 attended St. Michael’s
College in Winooski, graduating in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in
business. While attending St. Michael’s, he played both basketball and
baseball in his freshman year. Following his college graduation, Charlie
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. While building a successful business, Charlie immediately
became an active member of the community, volunteering his time and
energy. He served two terms as a selectman in Sherburne. 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, Charlie
returned to school, earning a bachelor's degree 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. 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, Mollyanne, and
reminiscing about his days in Haskell, New Jersey. A special interest
was researching the history of the DuPont plant in Haskell, New Jersey.
Charles was protective of his family, especially his mother, with whom
he visited with great regularity while she was in an assisted living
facility in Randolph. What really set Charlie 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’s life will take place at a later date.
These events will be published once effective planning can occur. Online
condolences may be left at www.dayfunerals.com
