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Edward Bourque Obituary
Dr. Edward H. Bourque passed away peacefully at age 88 on December 16, 2013 with his beloved family and friends by his side. He was the son of Raoul Bourque and Annette Martel Bourque of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He is pre-deceased by his parents and sisters. He is survived by daughters Susan Rink and Michele (Ken) Jentzen, six grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and many dear friends. He received his Bachelor of Education degree from Rhode Island College, Master of Liberal Arts from Middlebury College, and Doctor of Philosophy from Walden University. He was awarded a Fulbright scholarship and taught in France after service in World War II as a translator during the American occupation of Europe. Dr. Bourque devoted 63 years of his life to education, both as a teacher and an administrator for districts in Rhode Island, New York, and Connecticut. He also served as Assistant Superintendent of the Fairfield Public Schools. He was president of Connecticut Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (CASCD), and was involved in many other educational organizations. After his retirement he continued teaching French and Latin at Notre Dame Catholic High School in Fairfield. Edward will be fondly remembered as a true educator, one who believed the best in all people and expected nothing less of his students and those dear to him. His greatest joy and legacy are his grandchildren and great- grandchildren, as well as his example of courage, resiliency, zest for life, and above all, love for his friends and family. Funeral Services with full military honors will be held on Friday at 11:00 AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Church with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday from 4-8PM in the Spear - Miller Funeral Home 39 South Benson Rd. Fairfield If desired contributions in memory of Mr. Bourque may be made to the Educational Institution of your choice.
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Memories and Condolences
for Edward Bourque
December 21, 2013
I am sending my deepest condolences for the loss of your beloved Edward. My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead. May special memories bring you comfort. Jesus has the deep desire and the ability to remove the pain of bereaved ones. Please consider the words of comfort and hope found at John 11:39-44. Thinking of the family.
Amy Vu
December 20, 2013
The service today at St. Thomas was beautiful. It was heartwarming to take the time to remember a man who not only made me want to learn in the classroom, but also made me want to be a better person. A long, happy, fulfilled, and loving life like his is what we all should strive for. My sincerest condolences go out to his friends and family. He will be dearly missed.
Paula Sweeley
December 20, 2013
I remember Ed as "Dr. Bourque" from my years of teaching in the Fairfield Public Schools. He was widely respected as a very knowledgable and intelligent administrator and supporter of public education. Rest in peace, Dr. Bourque. The world will miss you. Your contributions were many.
Katy O'Melia
December 19, 2013
I remember Dr. Bourque when he taught at Notre Dame. He came across as stern at first, but was a big softie at heart, and genuinely loved us students and wanted us to succeed. I still remember his Latin lessons, and chatting with him after class; he always made me smile. Thank you for all you gave me, Dr. Bourque. I miss you.
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Msgr. Andrew G. Varga
December 19, 2013
My sincere condolences and prayers for one of the best and most challenging teachers who enriched my experience at Fairfield University.
Dr. Joseph Zapytowski
December 19, 2013
My sincere and profound condolences and prayers are offered to Dr. Bourque's dear family. I am greatly saddened by the news of his death. I shall miss the ability to talk and to communicate with him. Whenever we connected he had a special way of showing his pride for his children and their offspring. Ed was such a caring father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was always there for his family. Ed's family has suffered a grievous loss, as have his friends and I. We shall miss him.
Dr. Edward Bourque's decades of work in education, both public and private, serve as a testimonial to a myriad of contributions Ed made to the Fairfield Public Schools and to the greater Fairfield community. Ed was a dear fiend and an esteemed colleague of mine, first as a foreign language consultant and later as an assistant superintendent during my 11+ year tenure as superintendent of the Fairfield Public schools.
I owe a great deal to Dr. Bourque for being such a vitally important member of our administrative team during those days in the 60's and 70's. I shall always be grateful for his support and advice. He will live long in the memories of his friends. I know that I shall think of Ed often.
Frank Sweeney
December 19, 2013
I remember him telling us about his experiences during WWII, he loved his students and demanded the very best from them, God bless him, he blessed us all.
Dan Lantowski
December 18, 2013
My deepest condolences to Dr. Bourque's friends and family. He is among the very best people in this world, and I'm proud and honored to have had him as a teacher and a mentor during my time at Notre Dame. Dr. Bourque, you will be missed, but you will first and foremost always be fondly remembered so much more by so many.
Loraine Boudreau Duclos
December 18, 2013
Ed was always a gentleman. His family should be proud of his legacy. My condolences to the family.
Lisa Porcelli
December 18, 2013
Doctor Bourque was one of the best teachers I ever had and I will always remember the lessons he taught me about life and education. He is one of the reasons I became a teacher myself. I fondly remember how strict he was in class but the sweet smile he gave when we stopped by to take candy out of his "secret" drawer! He taught us that hard work is the key to success. My true condolences to his family and friends.
Janet Haffner
December 18, 2013
My sincere condolences to Dr. Bourque's family. It has been a privilege to not only have worked with him at Notre Dame but also to have been a friend. Certainly,he was a master teacher.He especially enjoyed his yearly trips with students to New York City and they were fascinated with the side trip to Sak's where he purchased some pretty classy ties. He frequently told me how proud he was of his family and often sought me out to show me the latest pictures.He never let me forget that he,not I, was the oldest faculty member.Rest in peace,Dr. You have more than earned your place in heaven. Janet Haffner
Janet Haffner
December 18, 2013
My sincere condolences to Dr. Bourque's family. It has been a privilege to work with him at Notre Dame. Without a doubt, he was a master teacher.He often told me how much he enjoyed his students and especially looked forward to his yearly trips to New York City with some of them.They were fascinated when he took a side trip to Sak's to buy a handsome tie.Dr.Bourque frequently reminded me that he, not I, was the oldest teacher in the school.He had a great love for his family and enjoyed showing me the latest family pictures.Rest in peace,Dr. You have earned your place in heaven.u
Amy Crouch
December 18, 2013
Dr. Bourque changed my life. His kindness and warm smile made learning Latin a heck of a lot easier! Over the years, I have thought of him often. Sending my sincerest condolences to his whole family. Please take comfort in knowing he touched so many lives in such a really positive way. I consider myself a better person for knowing him.
Kathleen Richter Niedbala
December 18, 2013
Dear Melissa,
I am so sorry to hear about your grandfather. May your many years of cherished memories bring you comfort and peace.
The Staff of Spear-Miller Funeral Home
December 19, 2013
Offering our deepest condolences during this time.
Edward Mitola
December 18, 2013
Rest in Peace Ed. You served the children of Fairfield well for many years.
Ron Abate
December 18, 2013
Ed was my supervisor when I was Fairfield's Computer Coordinator. I always enjoyed working with him. Work was never the same after he left.
Ken Medve
December 18, 2013
Mr. Bourque was the Assistant Spt of Fairfield Public Schools when I was hired as a long-term substitute in Jan. 1975 for Roger Ludlowe High School. On the last day of school that year, he called me to Central Office to tell me I had been rehired for the following school year as a full time English teacher. My mother was in the hospital very ill at the time, and I rushed to Bridgeport to tell her the news, but she passed away moments after I arrived. Mr. Bourque was always very supportive and friendly when I would see him in town. He was a true educator, and Fairfield needs more people like him today.
Jim O'Donnell
December 18, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Bourque family. Our children were blessed to be students of Dr. Bourque and we all enjoyed the benefit of his living example of excellence. He was a truly elegant educator. We will cherish our wonderful memories of Dr. Bourque.
December 18, 2013
Our prayers are with you.
Chip, Susie, and Anne Scoppa
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