New Bedford Marine Sgt. Samuel Michael Demers to be laid to rest; procession and service details

“Sergeant Samuel Michael Demers, USMC, age 25, passed away unexpectedly on the 20th of June 2022 in the city of Twentynine Palms, CA. Sgt. Demers was born and raised in New Bedford, MA, and spent his adult life with his wife and daughter stationed on aboard Camp Lejeune, NC and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms, CA.

Sam grew up playing baseball at SEYAA and loved spending time with friends and family. He graduated high school from Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School in 2015, where he was an active part of the track team.

Ryan Boswell photo.

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly after graduating high school, serving faithfully for seven years as a Rifleman, Squad Leader, and Platoon Sergeant. Sgt. Demers deployed in support of the Black Sea Rotation Force to Romania in 2016, a Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan in 2017, and Operation Inherent Resolve to Iraq in 2019. Sgt. Demers was awarded the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two bronze stars en-lieu of third award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Sam was a loving father to his daughter, who was born during his 2016 deployment, and a dedicated husband. He fiercely loved his girls and was a giant teddy bear kind of guy. Sam always had broad smile and laugh; he instantly made you feel like a friend. You were truly blessed to have the opportunity to know him. He will be remembered as kind, goofy, warm-hearted, loving husband, father, son, and friend.

Ryan Boswell photo.

Sam is survived by his wife and best friend Milena (Murphy) Demers and their daughter Ayla Demers; his father and stepmother Greg and Sarah Demers; his mother Reagan Demers; his siblings Alexandra Demers, along with her children Mason and Noah Belo, Haleigh Jefferson, and James Jones; his stepbrother Hunter Daigle and his daughter Sophia Daigle; and many loving grandparents, cousins, family and friends.

On July 12, 2022 at 1pm, Sam’s body will be arriving at TF green Airport in Warwick, RI. A large procession and escort will then take place along route 195 East to Dartmouth, passes his fathers home, and to New Bedford to 495 Park Street at Saunders Dwyer Funeral Home.

His Funeral Service will be held Friday, July 15, 2022 at 12 Noon in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Burial with full Military Honors will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Friday from 8 AM – 12 Noon, prior to the service. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.” -Ryan Boswell.

A GoFundMe Page has been set up for anyone who would like to help Sgt. Demer’s wife and best friend Milena (Murphy) Demers and their daughter Ayla Demers.

Ryan Boswell photo.

Milena Demers photo.

Video by ‘Honoring Our Fallen’:

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