Haverhill – George J. Desjardins III, 62, retired member of the Haverhill Police Department, passed away Saturday, October 26 at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Haverhill, he was the son of George J. Desjardins Jr. and the late Ruth F. (Sheehan). He attended Haverhill public schools and was a graduate of Haverhill High School, class of 1971. He was a member of the West Parish Congregational Church and lived a life of faith and service to others. Mr. Desjardins was employed by the City of Haverhill as a patrolman for the Police Department. He began his career in the police department as a reserve officer in 1975. After attending the Police Academy he then became a full time officer in 1981. He would proudly serve the people of Haverhill for thirty-two years, retiring in 2007. In 1988 he was named the Policeman of the Year for saving the life of a two year old child. A man of strong faith, there was always a Holy Bible on the dashboard of his cruiser. George touched many people during his life, both professionally and personally. An avid outdoorsman, he hunted deer locally and enjoyed fishing. He was a classic car enthusiast and was the proud owner of a 1959 Edsel Ranger. His memberships included the North Shore Old Car Club, National Edsel Owners Club, and the Northeast Chapter Edsel Owners Club. A wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, he leaves his beloved wife of thirty-eight years, Diane E. (Griffin) Desjardins, of Haverhill, three loving daughters, Julie A. Hayashi and her husband, Koji, of Senonishi, Hiroshima, Japan Laura J. Desjardins, of Haverhill and Kristin M. Morita and her husband, Masanori, of Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan two cherished grandchildren, Lana Rose and Soma Jaid Hayashi. He is also survived by his father, George J. and his wife, Joan Desjardins, of Haverhill and three sisters Carol Stewart and her husband, William, of Salem, NH Sandra Whitney and her husband Robert, of Kingston, NH and Linda Gonzalez and her husband, Roy, of Sanford, ME, along with several nieces and nephews. He is survived as well by his wife’s parents, Donald and Dorothy Griffin, of Sandown, NH whom he loved as parents. Special to him also are his “adopted” sons, Kevin Bergeron of Plaistow, NH and Kevin Farley, of Haverhill, MA. Friends and family are respectfully invited to call on Tuesday, from 4 until 7 PM at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (Rte 125) Haverhill. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday morning at 10:00 AM in the West Parish Congregational Church, Broadway, Haverhill. Burial will follow in ElmwoodCemetery, Salem St. Bradford. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the George J. Desjardins Memorial Fund c/o the Law Office of Sheehan, Schiavoni, Jutras, and Magliocchetti, 70 Bailey Blvd. Haverhill, MA 01830. Please visit Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook, or www.comeaufuneral.com.
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