David A. Bordeleau

It is with deep sorrow we announce the passing of David A. Bordeleau, 85, a devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, and beloved Great-Grampy who died at home on Monday, July 1, 2024, with his wife and daughter by his side.
Born on January 29, 1939, in Providence, RI to John and Doris (Schofield) Bordeleau, David dedicated more than 60 years of his life to the dairy industry, including the former Brown's Dairy in Cranston, the former Hillside Farms in Cranston, the former East Greenwich Dairy, the former Salois Dairy and the former Christiansen's Dairy, the latter three of which he was plant manager. His passion for his work extended beyond his professional life, as he was a collector of dairy memorabilia, amassing an impressive assortment of hundreds of glass milk bottles and other dairy and milk items.
David and his wife Elaine grew up next door to each other in the Stadium neighborhood of Cranston, where they walked to Cranston High School East together. They celebrated 66 years of marriage on Dec. 28, 2023.
David was a member and then vice president of the West Warwick Jaycees, a civic group that held river cleanups as well as flu clinics, holiday gift drives, picnics and Christmas parties for people who had disabilities or who were disadvantaged.
David's love for fixing things earned him the reputation as a handyman who could mend anything that came his way. His wanderlust took him throughout the United States and to most of western and central Europe, including Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Spain, Greece, Ireland and the United Kingdom to Down Under where he spent several weeks in Australia and New Zealand. David shared these experiences with his wife Elaine, as well as his children and grandchildren.
In his leisure time, David and his wife enjoyed antiquing at flea markets in Brimfield, MA, Norton, MA, and Rocky Hill, RI, where they found joy in uncovering hidden treasures. Sharing tales of their discoveries with the family instilled in their daughter Karen and great-grandson Maxwell a similar passion for antique treasure hunts.
David also had a passion for race cars and trains, which had been passed to him by his maternal grandfather who worked on the railroads. He shared this passion with his three-year-old great-grandson Nolan, whom he taught how to run the trains while they both wore conductors' hats. One of his favorite t-shirts was emblazoned with the words "Still plays with trains," which he wore in his 85th year.
David is survived by his beloved wife Elaine R. (Dello Iacono), daughter Karen Bordeleau, granddaughters Lauren E. Boulanger (Anthony Maietta), Caroline A. Boulanger (Morgan Carter), Justine Edwards (David), and Courtney Thompson (Norman), as well as his sister, Robin Volpicelli (Louis) and his brother, Robert Bordeleau. He was a beloved "Great-Grampy" to Maxwell Maietta and Nolan Boulanger-Carter. David was predeceased by his son, David A. Bordeleau II, and by his brother, Roland Bordeleau (late wife, Nancy). His memory will truly live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
David's family will gather privately to honor and celebrate his life. A private interment will take place in St. Ann's Cemetery, Cranston. Condolences may be offered to his family and remembrances of David shared online at www.carpenterjenks.com.
David will forever be remembered for his unwavering dedication, kind spirit, mischievous sense of humor and his ability to bring light to those around him. May his legacy continue to inspire and uplift all who were fortunate enough to have known him, to have loved him and to have been loved by him.