Gourse Allan Michael

WARWICK
Allan M. Gourse of Warwick, RI, died peacefully on Sept. 2, 2025 after a sudden decline. He celebrated his 80th birthday on July 5 with his family and friends. Allan was born to Samuel Gourse (deceased 2016) and Dorothy Berger Gourse Friar (deceased 2012) on the Orlando, FL Army Air Force base in the final months of World War II, returning to Fall River, MA after the war ended. He graduated from Durfee High School and Southeastern Mass. Technical Institute (later UMass Dartmouth). He worked primarily in clothing stores like his father, grandfather and great-grandfather before him.
Allan is survived by his beloved daughter, Rebecca Gourse, of Arlington, VA, her mother and his former wife, Ellen Gourse, his brother Richard Gourse and wife, Wilma Ross, of Madison, WI, his sister, Judith Hoffman and partner, Edward Oslund, of Warwick, RI, his nephew, Alex Gourse and spouse Jenny Gold of Berkeley, CA, his nephew, Marcus Hoffman and partner, Rob Fischer-Gilson of San Jose, CA, his niece, Alicia Hoffman and spouse Kelly Farrell of Dedham, MA, and grandnephews Isaac and Eli Gold Gourse. He is also survived by his stepsisters Sue Hynes and husband Tom Hynes of Libertyville, IL, Janet Friar of Sydney, Australia, stepbrothers William Geffner of Madison, WI, John Friar and wife Kathy Friar of Fall River, MA, Donald Friar and wife Joanne Friar of Somerset, MA. His stepbrother Peter Friar died in 2024, as did his former spouse, Elizabeth Gourse. His stepmother, Bernice Markoff Gourse, (deceased 2017) and stepfather David Friar (deceased 1993) were involved parents along with Sam and Dorothy throughout Allan's adult life.
Allan enjoyed many enduring and newer friendships, including his decades-long poker group and those he met through the Touro Fraternal Association. He was known for his great sense of humor and excellent memory about Fall River history. He read constantly and loved to watch the Red Sox with his roommate and friend, Kevin Dorr, at West Shore Health Center. The family is so grateful to the dedicated, patient and kind staff of West Shore Health Center, and before them, the equally wonderful staff of St. Elizabeth Community Assisted Living. We will always remember how they cared for Allan with compassion through the height of the pandemic and beyond.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 7. 2025, 11:00 a.m., Shalom Memorial Chapel, 1100 New London Ave, Cranston, RI 02920.
Shiva will be on Sunday, Sept.7, 2-5 pm, at Hardig Brook Village Apartments, Community Room, 331 Centerville Rd., Warwick, RI. General parking in rear of building; disability placard in front.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Allan may be made to Touro Fraternal Association or the Jewish Alliance of Greater RI.