Howard J. Bourque

1925 ∼ 2011

Howard J. Bourque

Howard J. Bourque September 15, 1925 - July 22, 2011

Howard Bourque passed to his new life on July 22, 2011. He leaves behind family memories to be cherished by his wife of 63 years, Olite, their four children and spouses; Kathy and Bob O'Leary, Mike and Karen Bourque, Sandy and Mark Dolce and Ricky and Jolean Bourque, eight grandchildren; Jason, TJ, Charles, John, David, Laura, Brianne and Jobeth and two great-grandchildren; Connor and Colin. He was a tireless servant of the Fire Service. He joined the Fire Service in Abbeville in 1942 at the age of 17. He continued his service in the Navy and then joined the Port Arthur Fire Department in 1949. He served as a Firefighter, Dispatcher and Secretary to the Chief before being named Fire Marshall in 1959 where he served until his retirement in 1988. He remained active in the Sabine Neches Chiefs Association for 62 years attending the second meeting of that organization in November 1949. He served the Texas A&M Firemen Training School for 46 continuous years. In his retirement years he enjoyed numerous activities with his friends in the Les Acadiens du Texas and traveling with family and friends. In honor of Howard's humble service to the Fire Service the family requests donations be made to Guest Instructor's Memorial Emergency Services Training Institute, 301 Tarrow, College Station, Texas 77840 in lieu of flowers. The Memorial recognizes fire service volunteers who have more than 10 years of service sharing their knowledge and skills in the training of emergency first responders.

Condolences

Becky Menard July 27, 2011
Howard & Olite I never imagened when i accepted the job to be your care taker that the bond between us would grow so strong,that loosing Howard would hurt so bad. I'am a better person because of it,and the bond between olite and i will continue.Iwill look after her... Howard you ran the race,you fought the fight,now you have gone to receive your Reward!!!!!! I love you Mr Howard!!! I will allway,s love you!!!! Becky p.s. I know you are making hangers in Heaven,those Angels have to have something to hang there Wing's on.
Pam Nelson July 27, 2011
Olite and Family - I just want to send my sincere condolences for the loss of Howard. I know mom and dad thought the world of him as did my inlaws (JW and Della Nelson who knew him from teaching together at A&M Fire School). May he rest in peace and May God give you peace knowing Howard is right there beside our Lord. Remember the good times. Love Pam Nelson (EJ and Mae Gaspard's daughter)
Libby Clayton July 25, 2011
I knew Howard as a father when his children had grown and they were all fine upstanding men and women who, in, turn raised fine upstanding grand children for him to love and enjoy and teach. I know that his family will miss him dearly as well as the community
Anonymous July 25, 2011
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Chace Mann July 25, 2011
Our life on earth is but brief flash when compared to the eternal after-life that awaits us. Listening to Howard's life and his relationship with our Lord makes it undeniably clear that he is now enjoying the endless rewards that await us in Heaven. My wife and I will be praying for healing and peace for all Mr. Bourque's family and friends.
Jonathan Topper July 25, 2011
Sandy: My prayers to you and your family. You have lost a wonderful father, but he is now in a better place. Upon reading the short biography of his life, I just now realized that he could have been one of my instructors when I went to Texas A&M fire training school. He touched many lives, including mine.
Mark &Becky Thornton July 25, 2011
We are sorry for your loss and will be praying for your family
Rhonda Neal July 25, 2011
I will always remember Mr. Bourque as a kind, sweet, proud, and gentle man who loved his family, firefighter and his A&M family. I always enjoyed listening to his stories about firfighting, A&M, and his family history. Mrs. Bourque and family: Look to the hills whence cometh your strength. Keeping you all lifted in prayer. Rhonda Neal (Home Health LVN)
Hugo A. Pena July 25, 2011
May our Dear Lord guide him into his heavenly reward; keep & guide his family here on earth.
Nicole Judice Manuel July 24, 2011
Papa was a very special man. Even though we were not a blood relative he was my Papa in every way. Anytime I needed anything Papa and Granny was always there for me and then when I got older they were there for my kids. I love you and will deeply miss you Papa. I know you will know be my guardian Angel watching over me and my girls.
Bill Lambert July 24, 2011
Mr. Bourque will be missed by many. I had the pleasure of visiting with him many times when he stopped by Beaumont Fire Headquarters. Not being a hat guy, I really liked the one I often saw him in when he stopped by.
Kevin Smith July 24, 2011
I will always remember Howard as a teacher...When I visited with him, I would always leave with more knowledge than I came with. He was a great Father,Husband and Grandfather. He will be missed by all.
Ben Kennedy July 24, 2011
Howard was a wonderful precious man that always had something good and positive to say. we sat in Rudder Tower on the A&M campus and listened to Howard's history lessons on the fire school and the fire service in general. For 20 years I looked forward to my week with Howard. I will miss that beautiful voice and hearing him say that he had lost his accent. I am truely blessed to have known him and called him friend. To the family know that he was a true friend and mentor to all who knew him. I thank God for having blessed me by letting me spend time at Howard's side. A wonderful amn that I loved deeply and will miss terribly. We were all blessed to have known this Great man and Hero to us all.
Captain Steve Cutaia, Nederland Fire Dept. July 24, 2011
We will truly miss Howard. He came by our station on many occasions and always had a great story to tell. The fire service has lost one of the most dedicated men that I ever had the pleasure of knowing. Goodspeed Howard!
Ann Marie Anthony July 23, 2011
I remember Howard as a happy, wonderful man with a phenomenal sense of direction! I always enjoyed his company, and loved having him and Olite to our beach house in NJ. He will be remembered as a wonderful person, father, husband and friend by many. Our deepest sympathy to the whole family for your loss. Love and prayers, Ann Marie and John Anthony Ewing, NJ