Richard J. “Belly” Bourque, 69, of Beverly, husband of the late Mary R. (Maestranzi) Bourque, died peacefully in his sleep on May 30, 2015. Born and raised in Beverly, Richard was the son of Evangeline M. “Vangie” (Richard) and the late Theodore J. “Teeter” Bourque. Richard was the dedicated and much-loved stepfather to Leah Caroline Jones and her husband Kwadwo Kwaa of Beverly and Sarah Elizabeth Jones and her partner Gregory Sutton of Oakland, CA. He was brother to Marjorie Williams and her late husband Robert of Seymour, TN, and Nancy Bourque of Beverly. Richard was proud to be the adoring “Pa” to his granddaughters, Delphine Amma “Squidgelums” Kwaa and Juliana Abena Kwaa. Richard leaves behind many loving family members, in-laws and lifelong friends, including his bandmates. Richard—a folksinger and songwriter, golfer, swimmer, scuba diver, photographer and skier—was ever kind, loyal, funny, generous and honest. He loved music, animals, novels, the ocean and watching sports.
Richard’s funeral will be held on Friday, June 5 at 4 pm at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish, 253 Cabot St., Beverly. Following Mass, Richard’s family and friends will gather at the Beverly Golf and Tennis Club, 134 McKay St., Beverly, for an open house celebration of his life. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Richard J. Bourque to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.dana-farber.org/gift.