Desi was born in Portland, Maine to Raoul “Ralph” and Mary (Minnihan) Desjardins on Sept. 4, 1942. He attended Biddeford schools and graduated from Biddeford High School in 1960.
While in school Desi participated in basketball and cross country beginning his lifelong love of sports. Desi worked in the Pepperell Mills in various roles and he ultimately retired as a security guard. In his younger years Desi could often be found on the basketball courts of Clifford Park, May Field and Emery School playing his favorite sport against many future Biddeford stars.
Since retiring, Desi devoted all of his time and energy to following and supporting the youth of Biddeford. He was a staple at all sporting events from little league softball and baseball to high school field hockey and football. In addition to athletics, he also encouraged all Biddeford Tigers in their other endeavors. He was the living embodiment of Tiger Pride. Desi continued to follow the success of young Biddeford Tigers through college and into adulthood.
Desi was predeceased by his father Raoul and mother Mary along with numerous aunts and uncles. He is survived by all of the former and current Biddeford Tiger students and their families whom he tirelessly and selflessly supported.
Visiting Hours will be 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017 at Hope Memorial Chapel 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 at St. Joseph Church in Biddeford. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Biddeford.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Desi’s memory may be made to the Robert J. “Desi” Desjardins Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Joyce Poulin, 20 Maplewood Avenue, Biddeford, ME 04005
To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com.
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