Obituary of John Bourque

John (David) Bourque, a teller of tall tales and strange stories, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on September 19, 2016 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton, New Brunswick. David was born on March 24, 1936 in Saint John, New Brunswick. He was predeceased by his parents, Leonard Bourque and Mary (Griffin) Bourque, and his sister, Marjorie (Bourque) Martin. David will be deeply missed by his wife of 40 years, Shirley Ann (Doiron) Bourque. His children: Peter (Sandra) Sullivan of Round Rock, Texas, Teresa Sullivan (Philip McCourt) of Vancouver, BC, Paul Sullivan (Tracey Waite) of Fredericton, NB, and Anthony (Jennifer) Bourque of Saint John, NB. He was a proud Grandpa of his eight grandchildren: Alyssa (Trevor) Robertson of Leander, Texas, Myranda Sullivan and Joshua Sullivan both of Round Rock, TX; Eric MacDonald, of Vancouver, BC, Lydia McCourt of Montreal, QB, and Matthew McCourt of Vancouver, BC; Kyle Sullivan-Bradford and Lauren Sullivan both of Fredericton, NB, and his great-grandchild, Elias Robertson of Leander, Texas. He left behind his brothers and sisters, Ken (Carmela) Bourque, Jeanette (George) Grant, Paul (Lucille) Bourque, Michael (Sue) Bourque, Christine Longley, and Patricia (Ashley) Little; as well as his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joseph (Ronalda) Doiron, Patricia Albert, Yvonne (George) Fisher, Gloria (Elden) McLaughlin, Gisele Redman (Hugh McDonald), Michael (Kati) Doiron, and many nieces and nephews. David went to work at McAvity’s at the age of 16 as a junior draftsman. Later, he worked with his father in Saint John, which was the foundation of Bourque Industrial, where he was the Vice President for over 30 years. He was a member of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 213, a member of the 13th Maine 30 Caliber Rifle Matches in 1964 and 1965, a member of the NB Rifle Association, as well as a licensed guide. David was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed spending time in Marrtown, NB with his long-time friends Dallas Fagan and Jim Ellis. He thoroughly enjoyed playing cards, and won many trophies bowling and playing darts. Whether it be welding, playing cribbage or putting a worm on a hook, David loved to teach his grandkids and other young people around him. Arrangements are under the direction of York Funeral Home, at 302 Brookside Drive in Fredericton. Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 21st from 7–9 pm, and Thursday, September 22nd from 2–4 pm and 7–9 pm. The Funeral Mass will be Friday, September 23rd at 11am at St. Anthony’s Parish, 603 Union Street in Fredericton, NB, presided by Father Monte Peters. A reception will follow. Internment will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, in Saint John, NB on Saturday, September 24th at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anthony’s Infrastructure Fund or Mother and Child House in Fredericton, NB. “Fish and flies, and counting stars in the skies, that’s what Grandpas are made for.”