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J. Richard H. Deschamps, M.D., of Fort Myers, Florida, formerly of East Quogue, died at Hope Hospice in Florida on March 30 following a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 82.
Dr. Deschamps was born on January 7, 1932, in Salem, Massachusetts, and spent his childhood years in Peabody, Massachusetts. He graduated from Assumption College in Worcester in 1953 and then attended the Faculté de médecine de l’Université Laval in Quebec City, PQ, Canada.
While studying medicine in Quebec, Dr. Deschamps met his future wife and lifelong love, Rose Marie Fortier. He graduated from medical school in 1957, and, following residencies in Salem and Springfield, Massachusetts, he moved his family to East Quogue. He was honorably separated from the U.S. Army Reserve as a lieutenant and became a partner with Brandes Pathology Associates, PC. He had a distinguished career as chief pathologist at Southampton Hospital, and was a longtime member of the Southampton Golf Club and an active member of the Hampton Bays Lions Club. He retired in 1989 and became a member of the Forest Country Club and eventually made Fort Myers his permanent home. His lifelong passions included fishing, golf, basketball, baseball, hockey, tennis, reading, bridge and pinochle.
Dr. Deschamps is survived by his wife, Rose Marie; a brother, Roland Deschamps of Maine; a sister, Claire Normand of Massachusetts; and three sons, Richard and wife Deborah of Vermont, John and wife Theresa of Aquebogue and Peter and wife Cathy of Ontario. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Laura, Timothy, David, Amy, Nicholas and Michelle.
A memorial service on Long Island is planned for a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to Hope Hospice of Bonita Springs, 27200 Imperial Parkway, Bonita Springs, FL 34135. Inquiries about future services may be emailed to jjdesch@gmail.com.
on Apr 1, 2014