By Jane Keller Gordon, Contributing Writer
Westborough – The death of NASCAR driver Ron Bouchard in 2015 inspired Jim Desrosiers to write a children’s book, “From Impossible.” Desrosiers will be signing his book at the Westborough 300th Celebration Store, The 1717 Shoppe, on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 12 – 3 p.m. A portion of proceeds from the book sale will go to the 300th anniversary fundraising efforts, and to the RB Racing Charity, founded by Desrosiers.
Another Westborough book signing will take place at Tatnuck Booksellers on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 1-3 p.m. Both Tatnuck and the 1717 Shoppe are located in the Westborough Shopping Plaza, 18 Lyman St.
Growing up in Fitchburg and Leominster, Desrosiers was not always hopeful about his future. The youngest of six siblings raised by their single mother, his life changed for the better at the age of eight when Roger Desrosiers became his stepfather. A special bond formed between the two, with Roger eventually adopting the young boy, who became Jim Desrosiers.
When Desrosiers was 10, he and Roger watched Bouchard win a race at the Westborough Speedway, a ¼ mile oval track that was open from 1947 to 1985, located at what is now Speedway Plaza on Route 9. Both Roger and Desrosiers’ mother worked second jobs at the raceways in Westborough and Monadnock, N. H.
He remembers that after winning his race, Bouchard invited him and the rest of the children to the “victory lane,” where their picture was taken.
“I saw Ron Bouchard achieve a big goal. He was from Fitchburg too, so I thought that I could do the same,” said Desrosiers.
After seeing Bouchard win races, Desrosiers decided to apply himself to academics.
He graduated from Leominster High School in 1986, and followed his three brothers into the military. Desrosiers achieved a rank of sergeant during his five years with the Air Force. He earned numerous awards, including the Airman of the Quarter for the United States Air Force in Europe, and the Libyan Conflict Medal.
Returning to Massachusetts in 1990, Desrosiers met Claudia, who became his wife, and her three sons became his family.
“My experience with Roger showed me that anyone can be a father, but it takes more to be a dad,” he said.
The boys are now 31, 33 and 35. The couple have a grandson and a granddaughter.
In 1994, Desrosiers walked into Bouchard’s car dealership in Fitchburg and asked to speak to him.
“For over two hours we talked about how he inspired me to go after my goals. I told him that when I saw his first race, I changed by belief system,” Desrosiers recalled.
After working for a number of businesses, that year Desrosiers founded his own Westborough-based firm, GROWTHco, which offers training, development and coaching.
“Bouchard inspired me to believe in myself and pursue big goals,” he said. “He acted as an advisor to my work motivating children.”
The book “From Impossible” came together when Desrosiers approached Bouchard’s widow Paula and son Chad.
“I had no idea what to do with what I wrote. Paula told me she loved the story and to do whatever I wanted with it,” he said.
He used a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to hire the book’s young, accomplished graphic designer/illustrator Amanda Erb.
The book is self-published in two formats: one for boys with a blue title, and one for girls with a pink title. Based in a town called Impossible, Bouchard is called The Kid from Impossible; he had been known as the Kid from Fitchburg. The book features real businesses from Fitchburg, with their permission.
Desrosiers’s final message is that anything is possible. He can be contacted at [email protected].
For information on the 1717 Shoppe, visit www.facebook.com/the1717shoppe or email Nancy Perkins, the store’s chair at [email protected]. The store is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Photos/Jane Keller Gordon
