Optimist Club holds surprise 100th birthday celebration for WWII, Korean War veteran

September 6, 2023 | By Muddy River News

Lifelong Quincy resident Louie Demers, pictured with his only child Mary Demers, was honored Tuesday by the Optimist Club of Quincy with a 100th birthday celebration in recognition of his accomplishments and contributions to Quincy throughout his lifetime. | Photo courtesy of Optimist Club of Quincy

QUINCY — The Optimist Club of Quincy honored longtime member Louis Demers with a surprise 100^th birthday celebration during their Sept. 5 meeting at the American Legion.

A lifelong Quincy resident, Demers enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1941 and honorably served his country in World War II as well as the Korean War.

Demers’ accomplishments include:

Guinness world record holder as the world’s oldest lifeguard –https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/oldest-active-lifeguard
Member of Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame
Wright Brothers “Master Pilot” award recipient from Federal Aviation Administration
Featured in Illinois Stories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ7sNYySHE8

Demers also spent much of his time volunteering with organizations such as the Quincy Family YMCA, Mississippi Valley Council Boy Scouts, Quincy University and many more.