Northborough – Gerard “Jerry” W. Bourque, a longtime resident of Northborough, passed away after a brief illness on January 2, 2023. He was 89 years old. Born and raised in Waltham, MA, Gerard was the youngest of 10 children to Camille Joseph and Cora Tina (Ellis) Bourque.
Following his 8 older brothers who also served before him, Gerard enlisted in the US Army during the Korean War winning many medals and citations. He worked tirelessly on behalf of all veterans in Northborough MA and was a 38 year member of the Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234 serving as Post Historian and Commander at one point. He was honored “Legionnaire of the Year” in 2013. Up until recently, Gerard served as Parade Chairman for the annual Memorial Day Parade. Gerard was also a member of the War Memorial Committee in town overseeing ten WWII, two Korean War, and one Gulf War on Terrorism Plaques for Northborough residents killed in action. He was also a member of the Honor Guard placing flags on tombstones and taking part in many funeral services for veterans. Gerard retired in 1992 from Digital Equipment Corporation where he worked as a manager of Educational Services for many years.
Aside from his mission to help veterans, Gerard enjoyed spending time with family, gardening, cooking, and endless home projects that brought him so much pride including building a garden shed and completely renovating a home with his wife Dawn in York Beach, Maine.
Surviving Gerard are his devoted wife of 64 years, Dawn Y. (Lewis) Bourque; four children; his sons Robert C. Bourque and his wife Kathy of Northborough and David P. Bourque and his wife Linda York of Little Elm, TX; his daughters Wendy L. (Bourque) Kettenstock and her husband Frank of Danville, CA and Glenda Bourque and her husband Bob Zalewski of Hudson, MA; 9 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Gerard also leaves behind his brother Robert Bourque of Hyannis, MA and was preceded in death by 7 brothers and his only sister.
Calling hours will be held Monday, January 9, from 4-6pm at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main St, Northborough. Gerard’s funeral will be held in the Hays on Tuesday, January 10th at 11:00am.
Gerard’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be directed to the Worcester VA Clinic, 403 Belmont St, Worcester, MA 01604.
To leave an online condolence please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.
