LEO PAUL C. BOURGEOIS

Mr. B. What a great man! People like Mr. B are few and far between. He touched so many lives with his unconditional love and encouragement. His smile could light up a room! He taught me: “Mais les yeux sont aveugles. Il faut chercher avec le cœur”. 'But the eyes are blind. One must look with the heart'. (Le Petit Prince). He will be greatly missed.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

thinking of you today Mr. B! You were such an anchor in my life and in my Peru Central life! I think of you with love and deep affection, and will miss your smiling face, your ready answers, and your compassionate heart. love always... love ya Karen!!!

Know that he is watching down on us all,and when you look up at the stars at night and see those twinkling lights think of EDad's twinkling eyes !!
We shall miss those eyes for sure !
Karen B

Mr.B was one of the best counselors that Preu School has ever seen. He was very understanding and had a genuine interest in his students that he counseled and was always there whenever one needed help. I saw him a few times after I graduated (1972) and it didn't really surprize me that he called me by name. He will be missed greatly. ONE WONDREFUL MAN. RIP Mr.B. My deepest condolences.

I am missing you Leo Paul, you were a wonderful father-in-law...Always had a smile and hug for me...And loved the way you were always reciting your poems to me and everybody else...You had a way with words....Thank you for your wonderful son Timothy Paul....Love and miss you....Kay Bourgeois

Mr. B was my counselor. Always had that sparkle in his eye when I saw him. A true gentleman, and mentor to so many young minds. It was truely a pleasure to have known this wonderful soul.

Dear Karen, Tim, Tom and Chris, I am very sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed visiting with your dad when ever we visited in Alburg. I'm sure that he is with Elaine now and they are having a wonderful reunion. You can be very proud of your parents. They were great. Sheila

Dear Karen, Tom, Tim and Chris, Wendell informed us of the death of your father and I take this opportunity to express my condolences to all of you and promise you that you and your father are in my thoughts and prayers. I have good memories of both your parents. The last time I saw your father was at Aunt Pauline Tubbs memorial Mass in Alburgh. He was always in good humor. May he rest in peace with your mother. With prayers and good wishes, Randall

Dear family- Mr B was a role model for so many of us growing up. He had an amazing sense of humor and a smile a mile wide. Mr B was very helpful to my mother, Mary Ann Flora, when my father died. They became good friends and she like many others will miss him. Rest assured he is being remembered at daily masses, not to mention the coffee clutches afterward at the Peru McDonald's. You are in my prayers,
Jeanne Flora Boutilier Nashville, TN

Dearest Karen and family,

I just read Jerry Rudman's note that your sweet father has passed and I want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you. Mr. B. was a very important part of my young life. He and Elaine were great friends of my Auntie, Ethel Stewart, and neighbors. Karen and I have been friends since about birth, and Mr. B was so wonderful to me when we finally landed at Peru Central in 1968. Blessings always, prayers alays, and love forever Karen and everyone!!! I will always treasure Mr. B. in my heart. xoxoxo Nancy

Chris & Family,I knew your father only briefly but I know you well! Be proud of the job he did raising you and always look back on all the happy times you had together.Your Dad was a wonderful man, terrific teacher and a great role model. My deepest sympathies!

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Leo often told me one of the most wonderful experiences he had was working as a trainman for the Rutland Railway when he was off during the summer from his UVM studies. He was brought up in a railroad family and always had a deep love and respect for the railroad and those who worked for it. One such man was his Dad. For many years, we used to get together and swap RR stories. He always told me that, while he was fortunate to have a good academic education, he learned about LIFE on the railroad. I will miss him deeply. What a great guy he was and a great friend and RR man!

Mr. B will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He always had a smile and a kind word, and any conversation with him invariably ended with a wide smile or a hearty laugh. What a good and decent man. Both Peru Central and the community are a lesser place without him. God Bless You and yours, Mr. B.

I was very sorry to hear of your loss. Mr B and I had many talks during my time at Peru and he helped me a great deal. I will always remember him.

My family and I send our heartfelt condolences to your families on the loss of your father and grandfather. I remember him from my childhood on as one of the happy and good "grownups." Later my children felt the same whenever we visited my mom in Alburg and your folks were at the camp.
~Winnie (Winifred Tubbs) Grant, Lara, Sara, Sammy, and Ted

Another wonderful influence from my youth has gone to "the better place." He was such a powerful and positive influence on me when I went to Peru; he truly altered my life for the better. He was gentle and witty and wise. Such a perfect combination of qualities to deal with the likes of myself in Junior High through High School. He'll live on forever in my best memories and I send warm thoughts and prayers to him and his family!

Colleen and I, along with the boys, send our deepest condolences to each of you. We will continue to offer our prayers on his behalf. Jim Mumley

Mr. B was one of a kind! His blue eyes smiled all the time. I didn't have him as a guidance counselor in high school, but simply as a friend who was always interested in me. When we were in grade school, he always found room on the high school ski club bus for me, Jere Grant and Chuckie Rock. And no trip to Whiteface was complete without a run down Excelsior following Mr. B !

He was a giant!

Many thanks to all of you for the wonderful words,prayers,thoughts and memories of our Dad- we are so warmed by all of you and know Dad was too !
Know he is in a better place where the snow doesnt affext his golf game but does let him ski Whiteface one or two more times- and that made him happy !!
Again.many thanks !
Karen B

So many thanks to all of you for the most kind words to us... we know Dad is in a much better place now and is beaming down in pride at all his family and students and friends... what a send off for such a wonderful Dad and veteran and friend and educator.. again..oh so many thanks !
Karen B Wheelock
Colchester VT

Chris, Tim, Karen and Tab,
Your Dad was a great man who touched everyone he met in a special way. I think of him often and wish you heart felt condolences.

Tim and Kay,
I am so sorry to hear about your Father. Losing a parent is a very hard thing to do. Know that my heart goes out to you.

To the Bourgeois Family, MY prayers are with you at this very sad time. MR. B. WAS A GREAT inspiration to me in my high school years. All the students just loved him what a wonderful teacher and mentor. Class of 67.

Chris & family,
Sory to hear of your dad's passing, we know how much he meant to you. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this time. Your fitting tribute was all class.
Lefty & Pat Miller

Dear Tab and Family,

We were sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. Leo touched the hearts of so many Peru Central students over the years, and was a true bedrock of the Peru community. He truly embodied The Greatest Generation, including his wartime service. We will always recall his upbeat outlook on life, and his love for his family. We will miss him. God bless,

Terry & Theresa Daly

I am so sorry for your loss. Mr B has always had a special place in my heart and always will. What an exceptional guidance counsler

Class of 65

Tim, Kay and family - We just heard last night (12/31) about your father's passing. We are sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Tim, I know how much you loved your dad, the times you spent with him and his imprint on you. May you be filled with family and fond memories that bring you comfort in the days ahead.
Best Wishes,
Joe Flynn & Karen McCloud
South Hero, VT

I am going to miss Leo so much...seeing him at the camp on the lake every morning, smiling. He always greated me with a hug and would tell me stories and always made me smile no matter what. He was like a grandfather to me, and I cherished each moment we had up at the lake. His wisdom and guidance I will carry with me always, and I will never forget him.
I love you Leo.

Tim,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I Had only known Leo for a short time, but that time was great. What a man,and a mentor. I remember when you and your brothers all worked with me to install the new water line to the camp in record time. And don't forget the water heater we installed. The fun we had, and the beer we shared that day I will never forget. His life will continue in all our memories. Jeff

Dear Karen & Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was greatly loved. He had such a wonderful and positve attitude, with always a smile on his face. I will miss him dearly.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

A prayer and a salute of fond farewell to Leo, a good friend of mine and a fellow counselor.

Timmy B, We sure had some good times with Leo Paul. I wont go into detail,but I know Leo is still laughing about our ride to Lake Placid to watch the ECAC Hockey Semis. It was a ride to remember! Leo was a great man and will be missed by all.Stay strong and remember our thoughts are with you. Kim,Ashley,Lexi and Larry

Karen, Tab, Tim, and Chris:
War hero, educator, mentor, husband, father, and friend, every thing your dad did, he did well. We've lost one of the Great ones. God Bless all of you.

Thank you for sharing "Mr. B" with us, the LaDuke family. He was special to all 10 of us and is so fondly remembered. He always brought a smile to me whenever I saw him. He was Special.

The LaDuke family - Edgar, Ed, Ronnie, Carl, Chet, Jessie, Caroline, Marily, Phyllis & Karen

My deepest sympathy to the Bourgeois family. Thank you for sharing your Dad with all of us. He was the biggest man I have ever know. I'm sure they have some great skiing in Heaven. Take one for me Mr. B.

Ila Buckley

Mr. B will be remembered for all the strength and love he showed his students. He helped me throught a very hard time in high school and I will remember him forever. Rest in peace Mr. B.

To the Bourgeois family,
Our hearts go out to you. Just knowing Leo is a gift. Being part of his family is a blessing. We pray for your loss.
Judy& Wayne Twining [Vero Beach]

Dear Bourgeois family,
I am sorry for your loss. Leo was loved and admired by all. We live in a much better place because of Leo's many contributions to the community of man. I speak for all of my children who knew and loved him, Susan, Ann, Michael and Chuck. Peace to all.

Thank you for all the good you gave me. It has helped me through life.

tab,jane,sara,kyle.so sorry for your loss.just think of all your happy memories.it does help.donna and fran brown

The short time spent with Leo will live on in our hearts forever. We all appreciate and will miss the joys that Leo and his wonderful family have brought to our lives.
With much sympathy in your loss...xoxo

To the Bourgeois Family,

Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Mr. B. will be remembered as a person who always had a smile for everyone. He was an educator and a person admired by students and peers who always had time to spend with both. It was great to have had the opportunity to share a Red Sox World Series memory with him. He so loved his Bosox.

Tim,Kay and Family. I am so sorry to hear about your Dad/Grandfather. It is always so hard to lose a parent.Hold on to all your memories,they will help you through. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Take Care and God Bless

Tab, Jane and Family,
Please accept our heart felt condolences on the loss of your father. You have told us many stories about a great man (your Dad). He will be missed by you all but his memories will live on through you
Pat & Susan

Mr. B. was our ski club advisor and bus chaperone at Peru Central School where I attended high school. He made sure we had lots of trips, always an overnighter to a major VT ski area. Weekly we went to Whiteface Mt. The bus was full of singing, and he kept track of us all, all day long. When I first laid eyes on him, he'd come to the first day of freshman-year history, to teach, turned around and lifted his suit jacket, showed us a safety-pin bunching together his trouser waist, said, happily, "I lost weight over the summer!" Always cheerful and cheering - we loved the man. What a fine teacher and community member Mr. B. was. As long as students of his are alive, we'll keep his memory alive. Lynn Rudmin Chong, Sanbornton, NH