James E. Bachand

James E. Bachand - James Bachand, loving husband of Thelma, devoted father of Jeannine Dalton (Jim), grandfather of Michelle Fisher (Heath), and Nicole Pattison (Bryce), great grandfather of Colin and Mikayla Fisher and Jack and Grace Pattison, passed away on March 28, 2010 at the age of 89. A farm boy whose parents, George and Deolinda Bachand, raised him and his two sisters, Betty French (deceased) and Barbara Bachand on a 40 acre ranch in Chico, CA. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 5, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 35 Liberty St., Petaluma, CA, followed by entombment at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of lowers, memorial donations may be made to either Notre Dame School, 435 Hazel St., Chico, CA 95928, or Chico Police Foundation, 1460 Humboldt Rd., Chico, CA 95928. Family assisted by PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, Petaluma (707-763-4131). Jim epitomized a particularly strong generation, a group of men and women known as the "Greatest Generation.""" At the age of 21, he unselfishly served his country by enlisting in the United States Air Corps during World War II and joining the European Theatre of Operations with the Ninth Air Force division. His unit was D-Day plus 7 on the beaches of Normandy. But Jim always had wanted to be a policeman. In fact, he joined the Chico Police Department in February 1942, before enlisting in the service in August 1942. He had only been married for less than a year to Thelma Kent of Chico before the United States entered the war, and Jim felt a responsibility to enlist in the war effort. After the war, Jim returned to the Chico Police Department where he rose to the rank of Captain for the traffic division which included both police cars and motorcycles. In 1950, while in motorcycle pursuit of a speeder in Chico's Bidwell Park, Jim hit a tree and was seriously injured. He was hospitalized for two months with rehabilitation of 4 months. He then returned to police duty serving his community with great dedication and distinction. Jim started the Safety Patrol program in all the elementary schools, a bicycle training course for the youth of Chico, and he encouraged increased communication between community organizations and the Chico Police Department through the junior Traffic Patrol. He received a Lifetime Honorary Award from the Hooker Oak PTA due to his interest in helping the youth of Chico. In 1958, after 17 years of service as a police officer, Jim became a Constable and later the first Marshal of Butte County serving the needs of the citizens through the judicial system. He belonged to several community service organizations including the Chico Elks Lodge. Jim also served three terms as president of the Judges, Marshals, and Constables Association. Upon his retirement, Jim and his wife, Thelma, traveled many times to Petaluma visiting his daughter and son-in-law and his grandchildren Michelle and Nicole who gave him great joy. He also enjoyed fishing, flying airplanes, motor boating, trailoring, summer trips to Lake Almanor and cheering for the 49ers. He is in a special place now where he can fly his plane, ride his motorcycle, and play with his boxer pups anytime he wants. Now the family is blessed to have one more angel watching over them.""