Jim leaves behind his wife Kristine (Kriss) Bernal DesRochers of 47 years; sister, Elaine DesRochers Landry of Show Low, AZ; brother Richard (Rick), wife Ashley and niece Lucy, of Brooklyn NY.
Jim is preceded in death by his mother Gloria Jean St. Francois DesRochers and father Marcel Earl DesRochers of Manchester, New Hampshire.
Jim also leaves Brothers and Sister-in-Laws, Nieces and Nephews, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Friends that were a very close and loving part of his life.
Jim spent 45 + years in the Auto Industry. His first job that started his long career was with AVIS in 1970. After, he had a successful small business for five years, before going to work for Manheim Auto Auctions in Phoenix AZ. After an attempt to retire he spent the next 10 years as Vice President of Dealers Auto Auction of the Southwest, Phoenix.
Jim was always involved within the Industry. President of the Southwest Auto Auction Association, and later became the President of The National Auto Auction Association in 2004~2005. He is a Member of the Warren Young Sr. Scholastic Foundation Incorporated. He served on the Board of ASU Alumni of The White Mountains. The Pinetop CC Scholarship was one of his fun and favorite events to be involved in, as well as the Kenneth V Coen Hospice fundraiser for 14 years. He served on so many boards and councils through his life time. If the event was to promote education or any worthy cause he was there.
Most recently Jim was honored with the prestigious National Auto Auction Association —“Pioneer Award”. Jim considered this to be his highest achievement given to him by his colleagues that he respected so much.
Growing up Jim attended St. George and Bishop Bradley Grade school and High School graduating from the University New Hampshire in 1969; his love for UNH never faded. He went on to receive his MBA at Southeastern University Washington DC.
I know that Jim probably never realized how many lives he touched, how many he encouraged to go forward, always giving them help and the tools they needed to succeed. He loved teaching others and sharing his knowledge and experiences. He loved mentoring, he loved seeing people succeed at whatever their dream might be. He was always maybe a little too honest and would shoot straight from the hip, but that was his key to motivate you to do better. If you needed someone to believe in you he was your cheerleader, and later he was always proud to brag about your success.
I will and have always loved him for all of these reasons and more.
Jim had many charities he favored and he would have loved you in leu of flowers donate to them.
