It is with much sadness, that the family of Alain Bourges announces his peaceful passing on Sunday, March 18, 2018 at the age of 86 years. Alain was extremely proud and grateful for his children and grandchildren, and never missed an opportunity to tell friends and strangers alike how lucky and proud he was of them all. He leaves to mourn his wife of 58 years, Cecile (Cilette) Bourges (nee Florent-Giard); his three daughters Valerie Bourges of Paris, France, Claire Bourges (Dan Meyer) and Marie Bourges (Theo Wilting) both of Calgary; his beloved grand-children Nicola and Gabriel Wilting and Sophie and Daisy Meyer; as well as his sister Elizabeth (Babette) (John O’Brien) of Calgary. Also left behind are his siblings Michel and Julie and numerous nieces and nephews in France.
After a sometimes-difficult childhood in Normandy during World War II, Alain headed across the Atlantic in 1952 where he was accepted and successfully completed studies in Veterinary medicine at Ste. Hyacinthe, PQ in 1957. He briefly returned to France in 1959 to marry Cilette who had been waiting for him while he studied. Soon after, in January 1960, they made their way back to Canada, where he introduced his new bride to Canada and the joys of Calgary and Prairie winters. Together they welcomed their three daughters between 1961 and 1964. After a brief stint as a country vet in southern Alberta, followed by job as an inspector for the Health of Animals Branch of the Federal Government, Alain built and operated his first clinic, Glamorgan Animal Clinic in 1967. A few years later, he traded it in for Chinook Animal Clinic, then located in MacLeod Mall, and later moved to Fairmont Drive. In 1974 Alain formed a partnership and lifelong friendship with Dr. Carl Hannigan, as well as Casey deJong (and later Don Zedde), when they built the Forest Lawn Veterinary Hospital and Riverbend Animal Clinic. Alain built a strong business where he was adored and well respected by his clients (the two-legged ones and their four-legged companions). During the 1980s and early 1990s, Alain was on the board of and served several terms as president of the Calgary SPCA (now the Humane Society). During this tenure, he was intimately involved with the creation of PALS (Pet Access League Society), as well as other initiatives leading to his being nominated and awarded Alberta Veterinarian of the year in 1989. Alain was a voracious reader and had a deep love of classical music, and he was a strong supporter of the arts in Calgary. Early on he was involved with the Calgary Film Society, and for decades was a subscriber to the Calgary Opera, Calgary Philharmonic, and a board member of Calgary Region Arts Foundation (CRAF). For many years Alain and Cilette had a cabin in Canmore fueling his love of the Rockies which he generously shared with visitors from France. Alain retired in 1994, and together, he and Cilette began their years of exploring and travelling the world, settling on Melaque, Mexico where they spent most of their winters for 20 years and built a community of close and wonderful friends. Due to declining health, they had not been able to return to Melaque over the last three winters, and he missed it deeply.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date, further details to follow. Photos, memories and condolences may be shared with Alain’s family through www.evanjstrong.com. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Ste. Hyacinthe Veterinary School (3200 Sicotte Street, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2; 450 773-8521; www.donnerfmv.ca in Memory of Alain Bourges), to provide support to future veterinarians studying at his Alma Mater, the school that provided him the tools to build the successful career he dreamed of in his childhood. The family wishes to thank Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Schorr who provided care, support, and friendship over many years, and most recently the amazing staff of Unit 94 (and Units 74 and 84) at the Rockyview for the love they delivered to Alain during his last days. Arrangements in care of EVAN J. STRONG FUNERAL SERVICES. (403) 265-1199
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Alain Jacques Bourges July 27 1931 March 18 2018 (age 86).source
Death notice for the town of: Calgary, Province: Alberta