James T. Rodier

Hampton, NH - James "Jim" T. Rodier beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at his home in Hampton, NH

Jim was born on March 9, 1947, in Worcester, MA, and grew up in Oxford, MA as one of 9 children. After graduating from St. John's High School in Shrewsbury, Jim attended Worcester Polytech Institute. Jim paid his way through college by working nights as a janitor, and eventually earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering. In 1971, Jim was admitted to Suffolk Law School, where he received his Juris Doctorate. Jim was a member of the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Bar Associations.

Jim met his wife Debbie in 1971 after they became neighbors in Norwood, MA. Jim saw Debbie touring the apartment next door and yelled “take it!”. They married in 1976. After graduating from law school, Jim and Debbie moved to New York City, where he worked for the National Economic Research Associates on Wall Street. The couple eventually settled in Bedford, NH where they had their two children, Rob and Ashley, after Jim accepted a position at PSNH.

Following his employment with PSNH, Jim started his law practice, which focused on regulatory law. At the time, New Hampshire’s electricity rates were the highest in the country. Jim challenged PSNH's monopoly, which ultimately led to the deregulation of the state's energy industry, and introduced competition into the market. Jim was referred to as “The Champion of New Hampshire Deregulation”, and in the later stages of his career, consulted with corporations on optimizing their energy sourcing strategies.

Jim had a quick wit, as well as a keen intellect. Jim loved to hike, play chess, feed dogs underneath the table, and was an avid reader. He enjoyed coaching his son’s baseball teams, and took great pride in his children's and grandchildren’s accomplishments. Jim was often referred to as “One-of-a-Kind”, and was well-known for his outrageous sense of humor.

Jim is survived by his wife of 48 years, Deborah; his son Robert Rodier and wife Stephanie, and their children Olivia and Owen of Miami, FL, and his daughter Ashley Piper and her husband Joshua of Greenland, NH, his siblings; Susan Huer and husband Derek of Marshfield, MA, Anne Rodier and husband Paul Fritzsche of Kennebunk, ME, Joe Rodier and wife Patti of Oxford, MA, Barbara Hendricks and husband Paul of Millville, MA, Tom Rodier and partner Mary Canavan of Sturbridge, MA, and Jacqui Granger and husband Rich of Oxford, MA, as well as 23 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Betty Mokrzecki and Jeanne Rodier Hayes.

A remembrance of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society.