Edward Mitchell "Ed" Bourassa

Gales Ferry - Edward "Ed" Mitchell Bourassa, 89, of Gales Ferry, passed away in the early morning hours of Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Richford, Vt., he was the son of the late Rene and Florence (Martin) Bourassa.

Ed is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years Kathleen Bourassa; his son Kenneth Bourassa of Washington, DC; his daughter Lori Bourassa and her husband Navin Sharma of Seattle, Wash.; and two brothers, Adelord "Joe" (Elaine) of San Antonio, Texas and Richard (Lorraine) of Colchester, Vt. He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Lyla, Ella, and Evan; as well as many nieces and nephews in Connecticut, Texas, and Vermont. He was predeceased by his brother Alfred of Windsor Locks; and an infant sister Mary.

In the Richford Junior-Senior High School Yearbook, Ed noted that his ambition was "to be successful." Upon graduation as a member of the class of 1955, Ed joined the Air Force. His duty brought him to Lackland AFB, Texas; Greenville AFB, Mississippi; Royal AFS Wethersfield, England; Webb AFB, Texas; Takhli Royal AFB, Thailand; Stewart AFB, New York; Otis AFB, Massachusetts; Westover AFB, Massachusetts, where he met his wife; Griffiss AFB, New York; and Cannon AFB, New Mexico, where he retired from 30 years of active service as a Senior Master Sergeant. Upon retirement, Ed, Kathleen, and family settled in Clovis, New Mexico where Ed worked for 18 years at ENMRSH. In 2004, Ed and Kathleen moved to Connecticut to be closer to extended family and where he was employed by Lowe's. Ed took great pride in his work and had an exceptional work ethic, with colleagues noting Ed was the hardest worker they had ever known.

Ed was a kind, loving and proud husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather. Ever patient with a gentle demeanor and quiet strength, Ed always greeted you with a smile and a warm hello and always had a bright and optimistic outlook. Never one to ask for anything himself, he was generous with his time and love, always insisting on paying the bill, filling up your gas tank, helping with projects in the house, and never letting his grown children part without giving them a few extra dollars. He would not take "no" for an answer. He had a knack for understanding how things worked and could fix almost everything. He enjoyed caring for his yard and home, working on his cars, taking care of his pet poodles, reading the local newspaper, and spending time with his family. He loved to go to Fireside Pizza near his home in Gales Ferry for pepperoni pizza and a cold beer. Ed turned his ambition to be successful into reality through determination and care.

The family would like to thank Dr. Carlos Mena-Hurtado, Marci Quaranta, and the staff of the Essex Meadows Health Center for their care.

Friends are welcome to join the family from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, at Robertaccio Funeral Home in Patchogue, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday, at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Coram, New York. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ed's memory may be made to the Air Force Aid Society, 1550 Crystal Drive, Suite 809, Arlington, VA 22202. Remembrances can be left at https://www.robertacciofuneralhome.com/obituaries/edward-bourassa/#!/TributeWall

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