Obituary of Henri F. DeMoras

PENN YAN- On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, Henri F. DeMoras went to be with his Heavenly Father whom he loved and served faithfully, surrounded by his devoted family. Friends wishing to celebrate Henri's life are invited to calling hours from 11:30am-12:30pm on Friday, June 16, 2023 at Palmisano-Mull Funeral Home, 28 Genesee St,, Geneva, NY, followed by Mass at 1:00pm at St. Stephen's Church, 48 Pulteney St., Geneva (parking around the corner at 17 Elmwood Avenue). A reception will follow at the Presbyterian Church in Geneva, 24 Park Place (entrance and parking behind). Contributions in Henri's memory may be made to Catholic Charities Family and Community Services, 1 Keuka Business Park, Penn Yan, NY 14527. Henri was born in Lewiston, Maine on March 10, 1939, to Octave and Alice Laliberte DeMoras. Henri was the ninth of their ten children. He was later raised by his sister Rose Aimee (Rosie) and her husband Vincent Lavallee on their farm in Bowdoin, Maine, where he became fascinated with agriculture. Henri earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Science with a Major in Agronomy from the University of Maine at Orono, and was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Agricultural Fraternity, Psi Chapter. After years of working as a bilingual agronomist for Agrico in Western NY and Ontario,Canada; a friend convinced him to try working as a manufacturer's representative, selling industrial process and materials handling equipment for almost 30 years until retirement. During this time, Henri and his wife Colleen helped found the Autism Society in Rochester after their son Marc was diagnosed. After retirement, Henri did not slow down for a minute, but instead studied for and achieved the designation of Master Gardener. Henri had a passion for gardening, science, fishing, and singing, which he continually taught his children and grandchildren. As a devout Catholic, he felt called to become a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Eucharistic Minister, and a participant in Prison Ministry. Henri was a Benedictine Oblate of the Divine Will and a past member of the 3rd Order of Carmelites. Henri was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He was predeceased by Colleen, his loving wife of 42 years and by many siblings. He is survived by his brother John DeMoras (Alice), and sisters Marguerite Moras (John), and Gabrielle DeMoras; his children Nicole Chilbert (Tom), Marc DeMoras and Mathieu DeMoras (Heather); his grandchildren Meghan DeMauro (Joseph), Emily Brown (Antwann), Shannon Puffer, Shawn Puffer (Jennifer), and Benedict DeMoras (Maci); his seven greatgrandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his "adopted" exchange student Johan Engstrom (Kathleen). The family wishes to thank the kind nurses at Geneva General Hospital for their kind end-of-life care, for all the thoughts and prayers of family visiting at the hospital, and for the prayers and support of his prayer group and faith communities.