David Charles Bourgeau

David Charles Bourgeau, Jr., age 79 of Naples, died at home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Born in Detroit, Michigan on August 28, 1944, to Phyllis and David C. Bourgeau, Sr. of West Bloomfield, Michigan, David was the oldest of nine children. He is survived by his three children, David Bourgeau III, Jennifer Thomas, and Alex Bourgeau; a daughter-in-law Monica Bourgeau, a son-in-law Timothy Thomas; six grandchildren Em Bourgeau, Hannah Bourgeau, Eliza Bourgeau, Kelsey Mundel, Sergeant Shane Bourgeau, and Sebastian Kazzee; one great-granddaughter Payton Rossi; his brothers Steve Bourgeau, Jeff(Jessica Hopkins) Bourgeau, Alex(Lori) Bourgeau; sisters Barbara(Kirk) Bourgeau-Richards, Michele(Tim) Bourgeau-Lea, Cynthia(John) Bourgeau-Kherkher, Laura(Del) Bourgeau-Chavez; many nieces and nephews, and his beloved wife of 56 years, Connie. He is predeceased in death by his parents, his younger brother Mark Bourgeau, and his sister-in-law Beverly Bourgeau.
David graduated from University of Detroit High School in 1962. He attended Central Michigan University and graduated in 1966. It was there that he met Connie at a dance. They were married in 1967. He taught 7th and 8th grade history and science at St. Joseph Catholic School in West Branch, Michigan in the 1970s, where he made lifelong friends. Former students of "Mr. B", as they lovingly referred to him, kept in touch over the years with cards, letters, visits, and flowers right up to his passing. During the time he taught school, David also owned an antique shop. After nine years of teaching, he left to complete his J.D. at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. He graduated in 1981 and worked as an attorney in Grand Rapids, Michigan before he and his family made the move to Naples in 1987 where he practiced Real Estate Law. After over 30 years working as an attorney, David left when Parkinson's Disease made it too difficult to work any longer.
His love of history and reading naturally led him to continue to enjoy his love of antiquing, and the stories and craftmanship behind each piece. He voraciously studied all topics, from colonial furniture and white iron stone, to milk glass and primitives, learning over the years to determine a piece's quality and age. His passion for antiques led him to travel on countless trips, particularly to New England where he discovered the beauty of Maine and a home on the Sheepscot River in Edgecomb that he shared with his wife, as well as, the many family members who visited and signed their guestbook, discovering for themselves the beauty and history he so appreciated. It was on his many visits to Maine that he sat on the rocks at Pemaquid Point lighthouse breathing in the cold ocean air, eating lobster rolls at Red's Eats, and visiting antique dealers in their shops who had become good friends to him over the years.
David enjoyed simple things in life like reading the newspaper in the morning, books on the history of America, talking about sports, eating coconut cream pie, the smell of peonies, drinking a chocolate milkshake after an appointment at the Cancer Center, keeping up with his grandchildren's lives, and talking to his children and brothers and sisters. Above all else, he loved his wife Connie, to whom he would sing, "You Are My Sunshine", each morning, including the last days of his life. He was known for his determination, steadfast unconditional love, loyalty, guidance, and generosity of spirit. He was a listener, an advisor, and a quiet example of goodness and kindness.
He was deeply loved and will be forever missed.
A memorial and graveside service will be held at Palm Royale Funeral Home and Cemetery on 6790 Vanderbilt Beach Road Naples, FL 34119 on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 11:00 in the morning.
Donations in David's name may be made to the Parkinson's Association of Southwest Florida.