Harold Demarest

BLOOMINGDALE -- Harold Demarest, one of the only importers of a bamboo cane used for fly-fishing rods, died this week, just shy of his birthday.But friends and family still gathered Wednesday for a birthday party, his wife said. "We celebrated his 96th birthday and had the cake and 97 candles with one to grow on as we've done every year," Eileen Demarest said Thursday.Mr. Demarest, president of Charles H. Demarest Inc., died Monday. He had been in the family import business for seven decades. The company is one of two firms nationally that import a bamboo cane used for high-end fly-fishing rods.Eileen Demarest gave this glimpse of her husband's life: He was born in 1911 to a family of six, attended Montclair Academy in Montclair, and earned his bachelor's degree in business and economics from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. He started working at his father's import business in 1934, and eventually took it over. The only interruption came when he spent time as a civilian flight instructor and naval officer from 1942 to 1945. He later helped at a volunteer business organization. He was recently inducted into the hall of fame at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum.His wife said the two loved to travel, visiting all seven continents and eating all types of foods but asking questions later. She added that he was dearly loved by all. "He left a mark on every life that he touched," she said.Mr. Demarest is survived by his wife, three children from a former marriage, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Visitation hours are today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 10 p.m. at the Morrison Funeral Home, and the funeral service will take place Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Church and Friary of St. Anthony of Padua. Both are on Bartholdi Avenue in Butler.