Jason R. Desrosiers

1980 - 2021

Jason R. Desrosiers

Lebanon, NH — Jason Robert Desrosiers, 40, passed away Friday, May 7, 2021 at his home in Lebanon after a brief illness. He was born in Plymouth, NH to Cliff and Susan (Couture) Desrosiers of Lebanon and graduated from Lebanon High School, class of 1998.

Jason was an adventurer at heart. When he was young, he spent most of his time at the stream and in the woods near his home. He loved discovering the nature around him. Jason was an avid reader at a young age and was often called "the little professor". When Jason was older, he used his debating skills to argue points in class, often to the dismay of his teachers. His sense of humor was infectious and his kindness to others was unsurpassed. Jason loved playing basketball and baseball and was a big fan of both the Boston Celtics and the Boston Red Sox. He spent many summers deep sea fishing with his dad and his brother, Jim. He was active in many LHS Drama productions and NCCT productions. He was a master Scrabble player, Jeopardy wiz and Star Trek connoisseur.

Jason attended Keene State College in hopes of becoming an English teacher, however, the open road beckoned to him. Jason left for Oregon in his Volkswagen Vanagon to travel and explore the country. When he returned to the Upper Valley, his new profession was as a cook, and he worked at a multitude of restaurants in the Upper Valley and Portsmouth area. Jason learned that the "The Triangle X Dude Ranch" in Moose, Wyoming needed a cook, and in typical "Jason the explorer" fashion, he headed off across the country once again. He would participate in pack rides at the Ranch leading a caravan of mules loaded with the week's rations and cooking supplies for their clients. Keeping himself and his cat safe from the grizzly bears was always a challenge. Jason spent ten years in Wyoming and finally decided that family was more important to him, and he moved back to Lebanon.

Jason developed an interest in mycology and began to study and focus his attention on the mushrooms of New Hampshire and Vermont. He belonged to several mushroom oriented groups and started his own edible mushroom business, "JRD Mushroom Company". He sold jars of mushroom medium used to grow edible/gourmet mushrooms to clients around the country. He often hiked the Storrs Hill area, seeking out edible and unusual mushroom varieties.

Jason left cooking behind and began working at Hanover Street School as a paraprofessional. He had finally found his calling, he was in love with teaching young children. He was dedicated to the job, working not only with his assigned students but the whole class. Jason took great pride in the amount of progress his students made over the course of the year. He ran the Homework Club in the afternoon and assisted with the Garden Club whenever possible. During the school's remote time and throughout the summer of 2020, he helped deliver meals to the families of the Lebanon School District. He never let his illness hold him back.

His favorite moments were spending time with his nieces, Olivia and Isla. He loved playing board games with them. He loved taking them on hikes, swimming in Great Brook, ambushing them with water blasters, reading stories, and cooking with them. He enjoyed watching his nieces perform in their dance recitals.

Jason is survived by his parents, Cliff and Susan Desrosiers of Lebanon, his brother Jim, his sister in-law, Cheryl, and their children, the loves of his life, his nieces Olivia and Isla Desrosiers of Dover, his aunts Linda and Julie Couture of Lebanon, his uncle and aunt, Bob and Terri Lee Couture of Lane, Kansas, cousins Ryan, Justin, and Devin Couture, and his cat, Speck. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Robert and Barbara Couture of Lebanon, Doris and Louis Desrosiers of Lawrence, MA and his aunts Gloria Desrosiers and Pauline Landry of MA.

"Death is that state in which one exists only in the memory of others, which is why it is not an end. No goodbyes, just good memories."

Services will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to The Jason Desrosiers Memorial Fund, c/o Mascoma Savings Bank, 67 North Park Street, Lebanon, NH 03766.

To leave a message of remembrance, please visit the online guestbook at www.rickerfuneralhome.com.