Friends Pay Tribute to Ted DeMers of Willington

WILLINGTON, CT — Across the street from the country home he lived in for the past 35 years, a memorial to the late Theodore DeMers is filled with various elements from his life. Among them are a fishing rod, a flag bearing the insignia of the U.S. Marine Corps, a wooden cross containing his name and the Marine Corps motto "Semper Fi," and a handmade sign inscribed "You will be missed," atop which sits three photos of DeMers, two of which also include his wife of 42 years, Cyndi.

DeMers, 62, was killed Friday morning and a neighbor was seriously injured in an attack on Mirtl Road by a man wielding "an edged weapon," according to state police. The man, believed by police to be 23-year-old UConn student Peter Manfredonia, fled the scene on a motorcycle, which was recovered in mid-afternoon Friday at the end of Old Town Road.

DeMers, known as Ted, was described as a self-employed artisan furniture maker in his obituary, published by Introvigne Funeral Home. He was noted for having "passion for many things — the art of woodworking, creating true masterpieces in his home woodworking shop; the great outdoors, spending countless hours immersed in nature with a great appreciation for wildlife."

Cyndi DeMers told multiple media outlets her husband had given a ride on his all-terrain vehicle to a young man walking on their street who was wearing a motorcycle helmet. Moments later, a neighbor reported to her that Ted had been in "some kind of awful accident." The State Medical Examiner's Office said Tuesday DeMers was killed by "sharp force and chop injuries of the head with sharp force injuries of the torso and extremities."

DeMers and his wife were slated to become first-time grandparents in June, as their son Theodore Jr. and his wife Jayme are expecting a son, according to his obituary.

Tributes to DeMers have been pouring in on a Willington-based Facebook page, the Introvigne Funeral Home website and a GoFundMe page set up to aid his family, which had raised just over $61,500 as of 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

• "Ted DeMers was a wonderful man. He helped me when I first started building guitars - a generous, warm, talented man who will be seriously missed by many."
• "Ted was an amazing individual. He was always involved in something with his sons which is how we met. He was an amazing person, the type one would hope others would emulate. He was a great mentor to all and will be deeply missed."
• "Ted was a gentle soul and a good friend to all of us for many years. He has touched many people including our kids throughout his life."
• "Ted was a good buddy and had been one of my best students. We have lost a talented craftsman and a great person. He will be remembered."
• "I know two people from your welcoming and beautiful country road - such a lovely place for him to have called home. You have my sincerest sympathy and prayers."
• "I can only imagine the shock you are all in to have such a traumatic, tragic and senseless act done to your loved one. My heart breaks for you. May you eventually be able to think of happy memories of Ted to help comfort and sustain you at this most difficult time."

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