LCCA Mourns Loss of Desi Deschaine

The Logan Circle Community Association (“LCCA”) is mourning the passing of its Vice President and Board of Directors Member Desi Deschaine. Desi, 29, was also communications director for D.C. Council Member Jack Evans. He died in an apparent drowning in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor after a boating trip last weekend with his boyfriend, J’aime Huret, and other friends.

Prior to joining Council Member Evans’ staff in November 2008, Desi worked with the Washington National Opera and was community outreach coordinator for Mayor Anthony Williams. Desi was elected as Vice President of LCCA in 2006, the same year he was awarded LCCA’s annual President’s Award for his dedication to Logan Circle. He brought his boundless energy to LCCA and was involved in organizing many of the association’s membership meetings, outreach, and volunteer coordination. He was also a regular volunteer for the annual Logan Circle Holiday House Tour, a national committee representative for the D.C. Young Democrats, a voting member of the D.C. Democratic State Committee, and a member of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club.

Desi spent the summer between his junior and senior years in high school studying at Georgetown University. He fell in love with Washington that summer, and decided he had to attend college here. He was admitted to Catholic University, from which he graduated in May 2001. He began to fulfill his political aspirations shortly thereafter.

Though Desi was known throughout the city as a political activist, tireless campaigner, and beloved public servant, he once said in an interview, “I do not like politics. It’s a pain in the ass, really, but to make a change for the better it’s a necessary activity to engage in.” Desi attributed his decision to commit to politics to the summer of his 15th year, which he spent helping poor and homeless children in Guatemala. Upon returning to the U.S., “I decided to do everything I could to make this world a better place. I realized that we were so blessed to live in a thriving democracy, and the only way we can keep it this way is by getting involved and making a difference.”

“Desi was not only a close personal friend, but he was my right-hand man on the LCCA Board,” said LCCA President Jennifer Trock. “He was full of creative energy and ideas of how to engage and serve our community” she said. “His endless enthusiasm and excitement for life were an inspiration for us all. He will be deeply missed. ”

It has been a tough year for the Logan Circle Community Association, which mourned the loss of long-time community leader Constance “Connie” Maffin after a short illness last February.

Plans are underway for a memorial service to be held in Washington, D.C., and details will be published when additional information is available.