Bud Desrochers can't say no to volunteering
By Mike Bisceglia
Seacoast Scene, August 6-12, 2015
[The following article is courtesy of the Seacoast Scene]
HAMPTON - "I guess I don't know how to say 'No,'" chuckled Bud Desrochers. "I think I've always been this way. When it comes to providing assistance to the less fortunate, you can count me in. I've been very blessed. My personal belief is, 'To whom much is give, much is expected in return.'"
Desrochers is a quiet mover and shaker in the community. He has volunteered his time and talents over and over again for decades, and he doesn't show signs of stopping any time soon. In fact, during the course of Bud's interview for this piece, he received a call. The Nay family stone had arrived and needed to be set at Founders Park . . . NOW! The interview continued at the park.
"I'm from the area. I learned to cook while working at the Double A Diner in North Hampton. Later, I worked for the Western Electric Company for 39 ½ years, but I was involved in community service long before that. I have been affiliated with the American Legion Post's Troop 177 for 46 years. As a scout master, I would take the kids hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking . . . everything."
"I assisted with a number of projects for the Holy Name Society at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church for 20 years. Later, I became a member of the First Congregational Church. I have become a warden and assist with the clam bakes. There, I am involved with Crossroads House. Once a month, I cook a meal for 80 persons."
"In addition, I have been a Hampton firefighter and a Pioneer at Western Electric. As a Pioneer, I was on the team that helped to develop the 'audioball' so that non-sighted kids could play baseball and other sports. The Red Sox Jim Lornborg got behind the project and hosted an audioball game at Fenway Park."
"I was the vice president of the Hampton Historical Society for eight years. In that capacity, I helped to develop the Fireman's Museum. It was great to see the kids come in gain a basic understanding of the early days of firefighting."
Ten years ago, met wife, Lois, while volunteering as a clown at a Halloween Dance sponsored by the Masons. The dance was held to raise funds to assist the Lee Boy Scout Museum in Manchester. Bud was delighted to learn that Lois, too, takes great joy in involvement with the community.
"I love to help her prepare 100 apple pies for the Jingle Bell Fair at the church. I pick and peel about 8 bushels of apples and she does all the cooking. We also help prepare lobster rolls for the Seafood Festival for the Rotary."
"I keep promising myself that I'm going to slow down, cut down on my volunteer time and just have some fun. But, then the phone rings and I realize just how much fun volunteering can be!"