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Donald (Don) DesRoches, 84, passed away peacefully, on Friday, February 12th at home surrounded by his wife and daughters after a brief illness.
Born and raised in Gardner, Massachusetts, USA, he was the son of the late Cyrille DesRoches and Regina (Boudreau) DesRoches formerly of Ste. Marie and Ste. Anne de Kent, NB.
In 1962 he graduated from Manhattan School of Music in NYC with a Master’s Degree.
On his first visit to Canada he accepted an offer to teach at the University of Moncton and was a professor in the Music Department specializing in woodwind instruments in 1965-1996. He was a respected educator and mentor.
In 1967, he married the love of his life, Rachelle (Grant) originally from Campbellton, N.B.
Don enjoyed two sabbatical leaves during his career. In 1972-73 he bought a camper van in Germany and travelled with his wife and young daughter through 16 countries in Europe and Morocco .
In 1982-83 he, Rachelle and their two daughters travelled through Canada and 32 of the United States. Years later the couple visited Hawaii, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. Donald and Rachelle started skiing at Poley Mt, Sussex in 1966 and returned many times over the years.
They skied for the last time at Vail Colorado, USA when their youngest daughter got married in Vail in December of 2007.
Donald enjoyed many years of sailing on the beautiful Bay of Cocagne, with family, friends or alone. He also enjoyed spending summers at his cottage with the panoramic view of the Bay and gorgeous sunsets.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rachelle, daughters: Lisa (Nassim Yakine) of Ville LaSalle Que., and Stephanie (Daveen Chopra) of San Juan Capistrano, California.
Grandsons: Hamza Yakine, Shihab Yakine, Ilias Yakine, Callum Chopra and Jude Chopra; his brother Raymond (Joan) DesRoches of New Jersey; sisters-in-law: Florence DesRoches of Virginia and Doreen DesRoches of Massachussetts; brothers-in-law: Gerald Grant (Lisette Soucy Grant) of Moncton, Michael Grant (Ghislaine Fecteau) of Halifax and Peter Grant (Barbara) of Riverview; sister-in-law Anne Grant (Adda Besseigheur) of Nanaimo, BC. Also numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers Herve DesRoches of Virginia and Normand DesRoches, his sister Martha LeBlanc and brother-in-law Raymond LeBlanc all three of Massachussetts.
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Chartersville Funeral Home, 363 Amirault Street, Dieppe (857-1901). If so desired, donations in memory of Donald may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
A chapel service will be held on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Chartersville Funeral Home, 363 Amirault St., Dieppe, NB (857-1901).
The service will be live streamed, register and view with the link below, https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=3915e10c-a082-4372-9221-c3668b84883c
Donald E. DesRoches, 84 ans est décédé le vendredi le 12 février 2021 à son domicile, rempli de douceur et d’amour, entouré de son épouse et deux filles, après une courte maladie.
Né à Gardner, Massachussetts, il était fils de feu Cyrille DesRoches et feu Regina (Boudreau) DesRoches autrefois de Ste Marie et Ste Anne de Kent, N.-B.
Donald a gradué de Manhattan School of Music, NYC avec une maîtrise.
Il était professeur de musique, à l’Université de Moncton, spécialisé dans les instruments à vent en 1965-1996.
Il a passé de nombreuses années à naviguer sur la Baie de Cocagne avec son voilier, en famille, entre amis ou seul. Il aimait passer ses étés dans son chalet avec la vue panoramique sur la baie et les beaux couchers de soleil.
Donald et famille ont fait des voyages extensifs durant ses congés sabbatiques.
Il laisse dans le deuil son épouse, Rachelle (Grant), ses filles : Lisa (Nassim Yakine) de la ville La Salle, Qué. et Stephanie (Daveen Chopra) de San Juan Capistrano, California; cinq petit-fils : Hamza Yakine, Shihab Yakine, Ilias Yakine, Callum Chopra et Jude Chopra; un frère Raymond (Joan) DesRoches de New Jersey; ses deux belle sœurs : Florence DesRoches de Virginia et Doreen DesRoches de Massachussets; ses quatres beau-frères : Gerald Grant (Lisette Soucy Grant) de Moncton, Michel Grant (Ghislaine Fecteau) d’Halifax et Peter Grant (Barbara) de Riverview; sa belle-sœur Anne Grant (Adda Besseigheur) Nanaimo B.C.; ainsi que plusieurs cousins, cousines, nieces et neveux.
Outre ses parents, Donald a été précédé par deux frères : Hervé DesRoches et Normand DesRoches; sa sœur Martha LeBlanc; son beau-frère Raymond LeBlanc.
A la mémoire de Donald, un don à la Société Canadienne du Cancer serait apprécié par la famille.
Les arrangements de l’incinération sont confiés à la Maison Funéraire de Chartersville, 363 Amirault, Dieppe (857-1901).
Un service en la chapelle aura lieu le mercredi 11 août 2021 à 14 h à la Maison Funéraire Chartersville, 363, rue Amirault, Dieppe, N.-B. (857-1901).
Le service sera diffusé en direct, inscrivez-vous et visualisez avec le lien ci-dessous, https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=3915e10c-a082-4372-9221-c3668b84883c
