James M. Besselman, 74, a New Orleans native, passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2017 peacefully in his sleep. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Leah Fourroux Besselman. Jim leaves two brothers, Joseph and Thomas Besselman.
Jim leaves his beloved wife of 54 years, Patricia (Arrington) and seven children: Jim, Jr (Nina), Rick (Carol), Bill, Steve (Leo), Elizabeth (Syd) and Patricia (Ryan), Jose, along with 13 grandchildren: Michael, Monte, Susie, Smith, Richard, Rebekah, Bill, Jr., Abagail, Kathryn, Austin, Stephen, Samantha, Sydnie and Leah.
Jim was a graduate of Holy Cross High School and Tulane University, where he received his BA degree. In 1970, Jim assumed the position of General Agent for the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company for the state of Louisiana. In 1984, he sold the agency and started Besselman & Associates, a financial consulting organization. Through his work as a financial advisor, Jim formed a strong bond with his clients and created life-long friendships in the metro area and throughout the River Parishes.
Jim was a director or past officer of Lafreniere Park Foundation, Tulane Green Wave Club, Children of the World Foundation, Rotary Club of Metairie, Knights of Columbus-St. Matthew the Apostle Council and Operation Smile/Louisiana Chapter. Jim avidly worked every year for Operation Smile through a golf tournament he organized, raising over $1 million through the years. Because of his and Pat’s commitment to Operation Smile, in 1992, at age 50 they agreed to care for a 17th month old boy from Columbia that was scheduled for massive facial surgery. What was supposed to be a 5 day stay with them has turned into life-long commitment and they adopted Jose, making Jose their 7th child. Jim was also a member of the Metropolitan Crime Commission. He was a member of Metairie Country Club where he was an avid golfer and gin rummy player.
Services will be Monday, February 27th at St. Matthew the Apostle Church, 10021 Jefferson Highway in River Ridge, LA. Visitation will be from 10-12 with mass to follow at 12 noon. Burial will be at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Metairie, LA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Operation Smiles at www.operationsmile.org or at 3641 Faculty Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23453.

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