EDWARD (EDDIE) ARTHUR JOSEPH BOURQUE

Edward (Eddie) Arthur Joseph Bourque, 79, passed away Monday, October 13, 2014 in his home in Stittsville, Ontario. Beloved husband of 54 years to Yvette (nee Portelance), doting father to Patricia Vincent (Todd Legere), and proud grandfather to Alex Vincent. Survived by sisters Geraldine from Sudbury, Eileen (Denis) Levert from Espanola, and Brenda (Paul) Aubin from Sudbury. Predeceased by his parents Arthur and Mary (nee Laframboise) Bourque, brother Joseph (Vera) Bourque, and sisters Rita (late Calvin) Pierce, Ida (late Don) Woods, and Christina (late Carl) Pollett. Eddie will be remembered fondly by his extended Portelance family and by his many nieces, nephews and friends. Born July 24, 1935 in North Bay, Ontario, he was raised in Estaire, Ontario and settled in Espanola in 1961 with his wife, he and his brother Joe owned and operated B&N Electric. In 1972 he and Yvette purchased the village of Willisville where he operated it until 1984 when they then turned it into one of Ontario’s most unique condominiums and began their gradual retirement. He was a jack-of-all trades and master-of-most. With his failing health, and to be closer to Patricia and Alex, he and Yvette moved to Stittsville in 2011 where they reside to this day. Eddie was an active member of the Espanola Lions and Elks Clubs, and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He loved the outdoors and was a great sportsman with a passion for fresh water and ice fishing, hunting, curling, golf, and gardening. For the past 23 years Eddie found sanctuary at his “hunt camp” on Manitoulin Island. Family and friends were invited to call from 2 pm to 4 pm and from 7 pm to 9 pm on Friday, October 17 and from 9 am to 10:45 am on Saturday, October 18 at the Bourcier Funeral Home, 222 Spruce Street, Espanola, Ontario. A funeral mass to celebrate Eddie’s life was held at 11 am at St. Jude Roman Catholic Church. Interment in the Espanola Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Espanola Nursing Home or the Elks Club Medical Equipment program.