Frederick Bourgeois, 99, of Shediac, passed away with family
by his side on Monday September 19, 2022, at the Veterans’
Health Centre, Moncton. Born in Shediac, he was the son of the late
Gaspard and Herménie (LeBlanc)
Bourgeois.
In 1941 Fred volunteered to join The North Shore New
Brunswick Regiment at the young age of 17. After the Dieppe Raid in
1942, he was transferred to the Fusiliers Mont-Royal. In his
words, “We walked from Normandy to Germany. We were on foot. We
walked 10 miles per day”. He served his country
overseas from 1941 -1946. During the war he was on the battlefield, as
a Stretcher Barrier, providing emergency medical treatment to the
wounded soldiers trying his best to get them to safety.
In 2015, at 92 years of age, he was able to make the journey
back to France to visit his fallen comrades and gain a little sense of
peace. He was awarded the Légion d’Honneur during the Juno
Beach Centre ceremony in 2015.
After the war he returned to Shediac where he met his wife
Georgette and worked for CN rail for 41 years. You wouldn’t
find Fred sitting down. He was a hard worker and skilled in the art of
carpentry. He loved to plant flowers and grow a big Garden each year
for his family. His grandchildren have many fond memories of
summers spent with him in Shediac and always enjoyed his fresh from
the garden boiled dinners.
He was an active long-time member of the Shediac Legion and
President of the Poppy campaign for many years. You may have spotted
Fred at the Shediac co-op each November selling Poppies with his kind
smile. He also enjoyed a morning Tim’s coffee and chat from
time to time.
He was very content in his surroundings and always had a
positive outlook on life which was contagious when you spent an
afternoon with him. “Fred is a special person” people would
often say. He would often be telling you a joke or sharing
one of his many stories. He will be so dearly missed by his family as
they hold onto many cherished memories made over the years and life
lessons he has taught them. The family would like to thank
the Veterans Health Centre for the kind and compassionate care and
friendships they provided for Fred in his final
years.
He is survived by his daughters: Florine McGinnis (Richard)
of Saint-John and Bernadette Martin (late Wayne) of Moncton; son, Paul
of Shediac; daughter-in-law, Rita Bourgeois of Québec;
sister, Léa Gallant of Waverley, NS; sister-in-law,
Émerise Bourgeois of Oshawa, ON; seven grandchildren:
Karen, Janet, Jeffrey, Lisa, Paul Jr, Donna, and Kelly; 14
great-grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren; as well as
several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife,
Georgette (Caissie); son, Fred Jr.; granddaughter, Niki; sisters:
Bernadette, Rita, Marie, Thérèse and Bella;
brothers: Ulysse, Arthur, Léo and Roger.
The family will receive condolences at Frenette Funeral and
Cremation Centre, 396 Main Street, Shediac where the funeral service
will be celebrated on Saturday October 1st at 11:00 am. His funeral
will be live streamed on his obituary. Visiting hours are Saturday
from 9:00 am to 10:45 am only. Interment will be in the St Joseph
parish cemetery, Shediac.
In memory of Frederick,
a contribution to a charity of the donor’s choice would be
appreciated.
Funeral arrangements are in the
professional care of Frenette Funeral and Cremation Centre, Shediac
(532-3297).
Words of comfort and online
condolences may be forwarded through our website
at: www.frenettefuneralhome.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Frederick Bourgeois 1922 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Shediac, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick