Reverend Gordon A. Bourne

1926 - 2021

Reverend Gordon A. Bourne

West Rutland, VT — Reverend Gordon Albert Bourne, 95 passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday December 1, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. Reverend Bourne was born on November 13, 1926 in Peabody, Massachusetts, the son of Albert and Lilian (Potts) Bourne.

A graduate of Holten High School in 1944, he served two- and one-half years in the United States Army Seventh Infantry during World War II. During his military service in the Pacific Reverend Bourne felt God's calling to be a full time Pastor. After his discharge, Reverend Bourne attended the Providence-Barrington Bible Institute where he graduated from the Pastor's course in 1950. It was there he also met his wife, Barbara Franz, the love of his life. On June 10, 1950 the couple married at the Covenant Congregational Church in Providence, Rhode Island.

Later he attended Taylor University in Gas City, Indiana where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952. Reverend Bourne earned his divinity degree at the Gordon Divinity School in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts in 1956, and was ordained on June 17, 1955 in West Lebanon, Maine.

Over the years Reverend Bourne ministered at churches in Indiana, Maine: West Lebanon Baptist Church and Center Lebanon Congregational Church from 1952-1955, United Baptist Church in Madison from 1955-1960 and the First Baptist Church in Westbrook from 1960-1967, Massachusetts: First Baptist Church in Framingham Centre from 1967-1970, before moving to Vermont.

Reverend Bourne served as Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Springfield from 1970 -1986, where he also served as the first chaplain for the Springfield Fire Department.

He later served at the Fair Haven Baptist and West Haven Baptist Church from 1986-1988. Reverend Bourne retired in 1988, after three decades of ministry including pulpit exchanges in Russia and England.

Throughout his retirement Reverend Bourne served as interim pastor in Proctor, Burlington and Rutland churches. Reverend Bourne's strong faith and love for others was an inspiration to his family and the congregations he ministered to.

Reverend Bourne and his wife cherished their times of travel throughout Europe and across the country.

Reverend Bourne is survived by his wife of seventy-one years, Barbara (Franz) Bourne; five daughters, Judith Hanson of Newport, Rhode Island, Shirley Ransom of Louisville, Kentucky, Deborah Wallgren of Gardner, Massachusetts, Nanc Bourne of Springfield, Vermont and Christine Bullard of Rockingham, Vermont, sixteen grandchildren, forty great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He was predeceased by his parents, an older brother and sister.

There will be no public calling hours.

A funeral service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Springfield, the date is pending.

The burial will be held this spring at the Vermont Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Randolph, Vermont.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Rutland Regional Ambulance Service, 275 Stratton Rd, Rutland, VT 05701 in honor of their thoughtful care.

Tossing Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.