Obituary of Robert M Demarest

Robert M. Demarest, “Bobby,” passed away on September 22, 2023, at the age of 75, in Ocala, FL.

Born on October 7, 1947 in Staten Island, NY, to Merritt Demarest, Jr. and Doris (Henriksen) Demarest, Bobby graduated from Red Bank High School in Red Bank, NJ and went on to attend Laurelcrest Preparatory School in Bristol, CT. Bobby was loved deeply by his parents and later by his step mother, Maria (Wydro) Demarest, his grandparents, Merritt Demarest and Martha (Mehaffey) Demarest “Grandma and Pop”, and his two younger half-sisters, Maria (Demarest) Oldani and Diane Demarest. Later, he became the brother-in-law to Mark Oldani and then “Uncle Bobby” to his three nieces and three nephews, Ashley Oldani-Martinez, Amanda Oldani, Stephanie Swart, Christopher Swart, Timothy Swart and John Oldani. There was an abundance of love and fun between Uncle Bobby and his precious nieces and nephews.

Bobby was the funniest person his sisters had ever known. His enthusiasm, sense of humor, expressive personality and unique word choices were infectious and memorable. His jokes were endless and priceless. Bobby and his sisters shared countless great times and shenanigans that will live in infamy, with stories being retold for many years to come. While never married, Bobby enjoyed several close, long-term relationships with women who loved him and whom he loved in return. He was great at making and keeping life-long friends, and he loved them all.

From an early age and throughout his life, Bobby loved nothing better than the ocean and beach life, so he spent most of his life at the Jersey Shore then later in the Florida Keys. He adored dogs and cats and was father to several wonderful pets. He loved horses and betting on them at “the track.” Bobby was a talented tennis player and played on his high school tennis team and continued to feed his love of the game throughout his 20s and 30’s. He was also a talented musician and played the Hammond organ for family, friends and in public venues. Bobby loved most music genres, including Broadway show tunes as well as rock and R & B music of the 60s and 70s, and he sang along very loudly and very proudly. Family times always included nonstop music and Bobby’s performances for an enthusiastic crowd.

Bobby’s final resting place with be near his father and grandparents at the Fair View Cemetery in Red Bank, NJ, where a service will be held on October 27, 2023 at 12 noon.