FITCHBURG – James R. ”Jimbo” Bourque, 71, died Monday, December 30, 2013 at home after an illness.
He leaves his wife of 44 years, Diane B. (Lussier) Bourque; 2 sons, Donald D. Bourque and his husband Paul J. Gould of Webster, and Jeffrey R. Bourque of Fitchburg; a daughter, Robin I. Bourque of Fitchburg; 4 grandchildren; 2 brothers, Robert and Ronald Bourque; 2 sisters, Carol Carriere and Patricia Snouffer; nephews and nieces.
He was born in Fitchburg, the son of Henry J. and Irene (LaFleur) Bourque and was a lifelong resident.
He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
For 34 years, Mr. Bourque worked as a machine operator and then as foreman at Anwelt Shoe Corporation. He was then employed at Tucker Housewares in Leominster for 10 years; he retired from Mohawk Cable & Wire in Leominster as a forklift operator in 2007.
He was a member of Saint Joseph Church and the former Franco-American Club. He was an avid golfer, a NASCAR fan, and an ardent fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.
The family would like to thank the staff at Health Alliance Hospital in Leominster for their compassionate care for Jim during his illness
The funeral will be held on Monday, January 6, from the Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Joseph Church, 49 Woodland Street. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Sunday, January 5, in the funeral home. Donations in his name may be made to Health Alliance Hospital Hospice, 25 Tucker Drive, Leominster, MA 01453.