Obituary of Adrien Bourgeois

Adrien's Story Born on a snowy day at his family homestead ten miles from town, Adrien Paul was the first child of four to bless his parents George and Valeda. Adrien remained on that properly for seventy years and had only the fondest memories of riding horseback to his one room school and working with his parents and sisters on the land that ultimately became his livelihood. Even the yearlong visit to the TB sanatorium in 1954 was no deterrent for Adrien's positive outlook in life. It was there, he would say, that he learned many good card games! In 1961 at a community dance, he met and then later married the love of his life Leona Therens. Adrien and Leona were the best of friends sharing many things including their joy for extended family gatherings and the music that accompanied them. He was very proud of Leona and it brought a smile to his face every time to hear her play. After the birth of his three sons, Adrien became very involved in community hockey; often a team manager, and always their biggest fan. He taught his sons the value of hard work through the life he lived and was a loving and always supportive father. To provide additional means for his active family, Adrien was a school bus driver. He was the town's favourite school bus driver who had rules but also watermelon for all that boarded. Adrien was fluent in French and was supportive of the College Mathieu program in town so that his sons could also be bilingual. He was a member of the hospital board, a treasurer for St Elizabeth Mission, a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Councilman for the RM of Gravelbourg and was humbled to accept a plaque for eleven years of service. Adrien felt truly blessed to have known all of his seven grandchildren. From frequent trips to Calgary for birthdays and sacramental celebrations to attending and truly enjoying their sporting events, he always took the time to talk to them about their lives. Grampa and his "magic hat" was a treat to them. In 1999 Adrien retired from farming and Adrien and Leona moved into town to begin a new chapter of their lives. Very quickly they adjusted to weekly neighborhood gatherings and dinners. Throughout this time he would also look forward to an annual fishing trip to Port Renfrew with his sons. This tradition spanned for ten years and he was a favorite guest at the camp. The stories and memories for all will live on forever. His leisure time at home was filled with meals with Leona visits from family, card games with friends, and watching the Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Canadiens. Adrien was a man of integrity and was always kind. Happy and contented; he enjoyed his family, friends and good conversation. Adrien loved and was loved and will be dearly missed. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 Adrien's Obituary Adrien Paul Arcade Bourgeois passed away peacefully at St. Joseph Hospital in Gravelbourg, SK on Monday, February 6, 2017, at the age of 83. Adrien was born December 5, 1933, on a snowy day at the family homestead west of town. He was the oldest of four children to bless George and Valeda Bourgeois, and the only boy in the Bourgeois family. He grew up on the farm with his sisters Ghislaine, Denise and Georgette. Adrien worked the farm with his family from a young age, quickly realizing that his passion was farming, and remained on that properly for seventy years. He had only the fondest memories of riding horseback to his one room school and working with his parents and sisters on the land that ultimately became his livelihood. Even a yearlong visit to the TB sanatorium in 1954 was no deterrent for Adrien's positive outlook in life. It was there, he would say, that he learned many good card games! While he sometimes dabbled in other "side-professions” such as driving bus for local school children or selling cars in Gravelbourg, farming would always be what he wanted to do with his life. At a community dance in 1961, he met the love of his life, Leona Therens. They were married on July 6, 1963, and had three boys; Marc, George and David. Adrien and Leona were the best of friends sharing many things including their joy for extended family gatherings and the music that accompanied them. He was very proud of Leona and it brought a smile to his face every time to hear her play. After the birth of their three sons, Adrien became very involved in community hockey; often a team manager, and always their biggest fan. He taught his sons the value of hard work through the life he lived and was a loving and always supportive father. Adrien was fluent in French and was supportive of the College Mathieu program in town so that his sons could also be bilingual. He was always active in the community, from being a St. Joseph's Hospital Board member, to manger in Gravelbourg Minor Hockey, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a treasurer for St. Elizabeth Mission. He was also a Councilman for the RM of Gravelbourg and was humbled to accept a plaque for eleven years of service. Adrien felt truly blessed to have known all of his seven grandchildren. From frequent trips to Calgary for birthdays and sacramental celebrations to attending and truly enjoying their sporting events, he always took the time to talk to them about their lives. In 1999, Adrien retired from farming and Adrien and Leona moved into town to begin a new chapter of their lives. Very quickly they adjusted to weekly neighborhood gatherings and dinners. Throughout this time he would also look forward to an annual fishing trip to Port Renfrew with his sons. This tradition spanned for ten years and he was a favorite guest at the camp. The stories and memories for all will live on forever. His leisure time at home was filled with meals with Leona, visits from family, card games with friends, and watching the Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Canadiens. Adrien was a man of integrity and was always kind. Happy and contented, he enjoyed his family, friends and good conversation. Adrien loved and was loved and will be dearly missed. Adrien is survived by his loving family, wife Leona (nee Therens); son Marc (Michelle Haylow), granddaughters Anjolique, Mercedes, Oceanne, Amourice; son George (Christine O'Grady), granddaughters Claire, Anna; son David (Patty Lovatt), grandson Matthew; sisters Ghislaine (Tony) O'Malley, Denise Duprat, Georgette (André) Maher. Predeceased by his parents George and Valeda (nee Allard) Bourgeois; brother-in-law Claude Duprat; and nephew Joel Duprat. Funeral Mass was held on Friday, February 24, 2017, at 2:00 p.m., at Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral, Gravelbourg, SK, with Father Hope Klutsey celebrant. Urn Bearers were Gerald and Garnet Printz. Cross Bearer was Marc Léost. Readers were Patty Bourgeois and Mitch Forest. Offertory Gifts were presented by Claire and Anna Bourgeois. Intercessions were shared by Mercedes and Anjolique Bourgeois. Vocalists André Moquin and Henri Lepage were accompanied by pianist Janique Chevrier-Wilson. The eulogy was shared by Marc Bourgeois, George Bourgeois, and David Bourgeois. An honour guard was formed by the Knights of Columbus. Interment took place at the Gravelbourg Roman Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Adrien to the Foyer d'Youville Foundation, Box 810, Gravelbourg, SK S0H 1X0, and Masses, were greatly appreciated.