Joseph Roch Bourbeau

GILMAN - Joseph Roch Rodrique Bourbeau, 68 of 29 Jefferson Ave., died at this home after a very long illness, Saturday morning February 15, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Bourbeau was born in Grand Mere Quebec, PQ, Canada on March 28, 1945 the son of Lucien J. and Gisele M. (Pothier) Bourbeau. Joe was raised in Canada until immigrating to Northern Vermont in his early teenage years. He worked at Roberts Motor Sales in Lancaster as an auto reconditioner and later at Nuroco Woodworking in Whitefield as a furniture maker. Joe was also employed at St. Johnsbury Fire Department as a fireman. During his time there he rescued many kitties. His later years he was employed at the Gilman Paper/Georgia Pacific/Simpson Paper for 25 years as a paper maker and worked in various departments. He was a "Jack of all trades" doing many side jobs from painting, carpentry, auto mechanics, cooking and various other things. He also volunteered at Weeks Medical Center, Lancaster and the AVH Hospital in Berlin. Joe loved outdoor activities that included flower gardening, camping, hunting, fishing, bird watching, attending Native Pow-Wow's, walking in the woods, country western music and most of all rocking the new babies of the family. "Booboo" is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carolyn (Markham) of Gilman; his son Joshua Matthew of Gilman; his daughter, Cecelia Louise and her children Pacey and Logan of Austin, Texas; his daughter Michelle Carolyn and her husband David M. DeMontigny and their children Cassandra and Christopher of Gorham; his daughter, Elaine Marie and her husband John Fuller of Lunenburg and their children Jonathan and Thomas; 3 great-grandchildren; a sister Luce and her children, Tony and Nancy Boisvert of Hull Quebec, PQ; a brother, Allen and his wife Judy of Waterford and their children Danielle (Drogalis) and Denise (Moses); several cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends and lastly but not least Joe's beloved feline friend and companion "Baby" aka Solo. He was predeceased by his parents; a brother Pierre and a granddaughter Celena Michelle DeMontigny. There will be no visiting hours. A service will follow in the spring in Summer Street Cemetery, Lancaster. The family wishes to express many thanks to Caledonian Home Health and Hospice, Alley, Carol, Debby and Linda for all their care and support in his final days. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the National Tree of Hope, c/o First Candle, 2105 Laurel Bush Road, Suite 201, Bel Air, MD 21015 in memory of his precious granddaughter Celena.

Joseph Roch Bourbeau

March 28, 1945 - February 15, 2014