John Winston Demmerling of Harriston passed away on Saturday, October 23, 2021 in his 82nd year. Father of John and Nicola Demmerling, and Tracey and Jeff MacDonald, all of Bowmanville. Grandfather of Scott Demmerling and Maisie Cronshey, Kate Demmerling, Jacob MacDonald, and Rod MacDonald, and great-grandfather of Harlow Grace Demmerling Brother of Betty and Don Partridge of Lethbridge, AB, Linda and Norm Brown of Guelph, and Janis and Gerry McGovern of Glass House Mountains, Australia, and brother-in-law of Tom Purcell of Listowel. Predeceased by his sister Nancy Purcell, his father John Demmerling, his mother Margaret McClean, and his step-father Leo McClean. Winston was born in Harriston and spent his early childhood in the town before moving to Owen Sound. With the early death of his father Winston became not just the big brother to his siblings but the father figure in his home. Winston started working at Woolworths in Owen Sound before moving to Toronto in the late 1950’s. He became the store manager at Woolco in the Dufferin Mall. He also worked in Moncton, NB before returning to Toronto to run the Kennedy Road Store and work in the head office downtown. Upon his retirement, Winston settled in his hometown of Harriston. Winston was a keen sportsman playing baseball, hockey and golf. He is a long suffering Leafs fan. Although his battle with MS robbed him of his ability to play the sports he loved, he never stopped finding ways to enjoy sport as a spectator or volunteering at tournaments. Visitation will be held at the Hardy-Lee Funeral Home, Harriston on Friday, October 29 from 4:00 to 7:00pm where the funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 30 at 1:30pm. The service will be livestreamed and available on the funeral home website. You do not have to register or have proof of vaccination to attend the visitation or funeral, but you must have proof of vaccine and identification to attend the post funeral reception. Interment in Harriston Cemetery. Memorial donations to Multiple Sclerosis Society would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.hardyleefuneralhome.com
