James Duchemin

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.