James Ayer Rousmaniere was a close friend and roommate of JFK’s at Harvard. He was born in 1918 in New York City and graduated from Harvard in 1940.
Jimmy was one of Kennedy’s friends who was instrumental in getting the less socially advantaged Jack admitted to the Spee Club. He also knew Joe Kennedy, Jr. as he did all of the Kennedy’s. He was a frequent guest to Hyannis Port.
Jimmy was an avid sailor and captained the Harvard sailing team and with Jack and Joe, Jr. won the Intercollegiate championship in 1939.
Rousmaniere served in the Army in the European theatre, and married the daughter of his commanding general, the former Jessie Pierce of San Antonio.
After the war, Rousmaniere entered into a business career and became active in fundraising for Harvard and other non-profits. He and Jessie had seven sons and one daughter. He died in 2004.
The photo below was taken in the family’s backyard in Oyster Bay, New York and sent to JFK during his presidency by Rousmaniere.
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Jim Rousmaniere and family at Oyster Bay, New York circa 1959
Now that is a handsome looking family.
Good for you Jimmy Rousmaniere!