"Jim was the consummate advocate for his client. He vigorously and tirelessly represented each and everyone of his clients. Back when I still handled divorce cases, I knew I would earn my fee when Jim was on the other side. I still remember late evenings at his office negotiating with the clients. I also remember years ago when I was in the hospital that Jim came to see me with a handful of fishing magazines. But the most I remember about Jim was his smile. He lit up the room! My sincere condolences to Jane and family. Peace be with you Jim. God bless you my friend. Bill Laman."
In loving memory of
James Robert Duchemin
November 4, 1945 - December 26, 2019
MADISON- James Robert Duchemin, age 74, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2019, surrounded by loving family, after an arduous battle with pancreatic cancer. Jim was born on November 4, 1945, the son of William and Theresa Duchemin, in Milwaukee, WI. After graduating from Marquette University High School in 1963, Jim attended the University of Notre Dame where he graduated in 1967. After Notre Dame, Jim attended law school at the University of Wisconsin, graduating in 1970. In 1970, Jim moved to Eau Claire, WI to begin the first of his 47 years as an attorney at Herrick & Hart, S.C. Not long after his move to Eau Claire, he met and married Jane Denissen, with whom he shared 49 loving years.
As an attorney, Jim chose a challenging path as a criminal defense attorney for the first part of his career, and a family law attorney until his retirement in 2017. Jim was a past President of the Eau Claire County Bar Association, a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association Board of Governors, and a Director of the Wisconsin Bar Foundation. His most cherished and least known work was as a volunteer for the Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program. He spent years anonymously assisting lawyers and judges with substance abuse challenges. He was remarkably passionate about his colleagues and his clients.
Jim loved his family and his faith. He lived his life in service of both, often setting aside his own self-interests. Jim devoted many days and nights to his daughter's equestrian competition and his son's athletics, and a generation later, to his granddaughter's dancing and grandson's hockey. Jim loved the University of Notre Dame and he was immensely proud to provide that same opportunity for both of his children. When Jim took time for himself, it was to read voraciously, travel with his wife, visit family, golf with buddies and watch sports. He had a tremendous love of hockey, not just as a parent, but also as a long-time booster of the UWEC Blugolds.
Those who knew Jim know he loved to laugh and smile. He was a humble man who refused to judge people regardless of their past. His mission was to spread happiness to everyone, including strangers. Jim would often strike up random conversations in the most unlikely of places, whether a grocery store checkout line, a hockey rink or a hiking trail. He relished in the shared experience of life.
Jim is survived by his wife, Jane; son, Matthew (Meredith) Duchemin; daughter, Sarah Duchemin; mother, Theresa Fedran; grandchildren, Alexander and Kate Duchemin; brother, Kenneth Duchemin; brother, Michael Duchemin (Paivi Hoikkala); and many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his father, William Sr.; and brother, William Jr.
The family extends their gratitude to the team at UW Hospital, whose help fighting a vicious cancer extended Jim's precious time with his family, and to the caregivers at Agrace Hospice, who allowed Jim to die in comfort and with dignity.
A celebration of Jim's life will begin with a visitation at 10 a.m., on January 2, 2019, at Blessed Sacrament Church, 2121 Rowley Avenue, Madison. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon for family and friends in the Blessed Sacrament School cafeteria. Jim will be interned at Resurrection Cemetery, 2705 Regent St., following the luncheon. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Carbone Cancer Center Pancreas Cancer Research Fund (www.uwhealth.org/pcrfund), UW Foundation, U.S. Bank Lockbox 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807.
Tributes
"Dear Jane ,Matt and Family,We are so sorry for all of you at this time of Sorrow. It was my pleasure to have had the Freindship of Jim. Thank heaven for these wonderful Husbands, Father?s, and Grandfathers,,they leave behind some great legacies. You are in my prayers.Isend you all sincere sympathy. Mary Fallow and Tony Fallow"
"Makes me so sad to hear of Jim's passing. Matt and Sarah- he was just so proud of you two! He was always do kind and generous. Blessings to all of you! Baby sitter Laurie Zukaitis "
"Makes me so sad to hear of Jim's passing. Matt and Sarah- he was just so proud of you two! He was always do kind and generous. Blessings to all of you! Baby sitter Laurie Zukaitis "
"My deepest sympathies to the Duchemin family. I worked with Jim at the Herrick and Hart law firm now probably approaching 30 years ago! He gave nothing but a 150% to the task at hand - nothing but always a gentleman first class! Donna (Anderson) Kehoe. "
"I'm so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He was an incredible mentor to me when I worked at Herrick and Hart. He was a kind soul and a caring individual who will be missed. My prayers of comfort are with all of you. "
"Jane and family: Lois and I are sad to hear of Jim's passing. Maybe God will reassign him to keep track of Duke. We will miss Jim and know you are in our prayers."
"From Fred and Pat Des Forge: Pat and I are saddened to hear of Jim?s death and wish to send condolences to Jane and the family. I met Jim in the early 70?s in court-he was the defense attorney and I was the arresting officer. It was never anything personal, just our jobs. We had respect for one another?s job. Jim loved the policemen and we returned the friendship. We had a lot of enjoyable times together. Some might have thought we had too much fun! I had the distinct privilege of having a lot in common with Jim. We were both Catholic, we shared the same birthday, we both had sons named Matt who were born exactly one month apart. Both played hockey as defensemen, mine for North and Jim?s for Memorial. They both also played baseball and were catchers. Sarah had horses and so did my daughters. Jim and Jane were married for 49 years and Pat and I have also been married for 49 years. Jim was very positive person who was always happy to see you. He always had that great smile on his face. We policemen have very good memories and Jim will always have a place in my thoughts and prayers. We are sorry that we could not attend the service. Fred and Pat Des Forge "
"Jane and family, This is the first I was aware that Jim had health issues. I am so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed working with Jim through my years of photographing the Bar Assoc. members and also with Jane as an employee of mine for a number of years. He will be missed by those who knew him."
"Jane and Family, We were so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. A fond memory will always be when he went to skate with the boys wearing his very old hockey skates and as he glided out on the ice the skates literally blew apart! Jim was a good sport. Judy and CC"
"In 1976 Jim was already a well known and well respected attorney and I was a very young police officer for the City of Eau Claire. These two occupations seldom lead to lifelong friendships, but Jim and I were lucky enough to have one from almost day one. I was deeply saddened when I learned of his death. I wish to send my heartfelt condolences to Jane, Matt and Sarah. Please know that Jim and I hardly ever shared any time together where he failed to mention his love and pride for his family. The memories of fishing trips to Canada, the great conversations, deep belly laughs, and sincere brotherly love will continue to help me smile and bear the sorrow of this loss."
"I met Jim at a campaign fundraiser for WI Attorney General at the offices of Richie, Wickstrom, & Wachs. I am grateful that he immediately suggested that I send a letter to Webster Hart to inquire about my first legal job. He was welcoming, engaging, direct and always open to questions...even if I was advised not to use his filing system. He was hard-working, often the last one in the office. Tough guys like him seem too invincible to lose. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. "
"I worked with Jim at Herrick & Hart. Though it has been some years since I had seen him, I can still recall his friendly, laid back demeanor. Rest in Peace and eternal life Jim!"
"My heartfelt condolences for your loss. Please find comfort in the knowledge that soon God will wipe out every tear from our eyes, and ?death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things (will) have passed away.?(Rev. 21:3,4) May this promise give you comfort now and a real hope for the future. My deepest sympathies."