1924 – 2015

AUBURN — Emile M. Bourque of Turner, formerly of Colchester, Conn., passed away on Friday, Dec. 18, at the wonderful age of 91.

He was born to Leon Emilien Bourque and Alice Belisle, Dec. 16, 1924, in Warwick, Quebec, and grew up in Lewiston. He was formerly married to Lilianne Audet in 1950; they had two daughters, Louise and Michelle.

Emile worked in the family business at Bourque’s Market. He joined the U.S. Army in 1943, was stationed in Mississippi, and served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He proudly became a United States citizen in 1944. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 9945, Wethersfield, Conn., and a communicant of St. Andrews Catholic Church in Colchester, Conn.

When Emile returned home, he bought his truck and had a route delivering Sonny Boy bread for Dupont’s Bakery. His children, as well as the neighborhood children, were happy when he came home at the end of the day with delicious baked goodies. He effortlessly could glide up 3 to 4 floors in many customers’ buildings without breaking a sweat!

Emile moved to Connecticut in the early 1970s. He worked and retired from Colt’s Mfg. in Hartford. He met and married his second wife, Elizabeth Taylor Stabile. They spent their lives together in Colchester. When Elizabeth took ill, Emile kept her at home as long as he could, then he loyally visited her every day until her passing in 2012. He then moved to Turner with Louise and Norm. He spent recent winters in Florida with his siblings, Rita, Omer and Sue, and Gisele (Peggy) and DJ.

There were several visits with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, always beginning with the special handshake. He has relinquished the teaching of the “Pepere” handshake to Carly and Elle and any new “greats” we are blessed with, to his eldest grandsons. While he lived in Turner, he enjoyed trips to the dump in his son-in-law’s truck. Whatever the task, he just wanted to help! He had a special gift for quieting an infant with his soft French lullaby. He loved all his family and enjoyed their company, cards, and letters, especially from the summer camp nieces and nephews! Emile was a true Canadiens, New York Yankees, and UCONN basketball fan, which made it interesting when our family of Boston fans would gather.

Emile will be missed by people who have been touched by his kind heart, hugs, smile, and wise-guy jokes.

Survivors include siblings, Omer and Sue Bourque, Rita Arsenault and Gisele and DJ Jackson, Doris Bourque and Gaetan “Joe” Breton; daughters, Louise Ouellette (Norm Quirion), Michelle Bourque and fiancé, Marcel Gosselin; stepchildren, Linda Rentler and Richard Stabile of Connecticut; grandchildren, Angelique (Chris DeFeo), Andrea (Deron Plourde), Gary (Joe) Ouellette (Kristi), Christian (girlfriend, Caitlin), Monique Gosselin, children David and Carrie Rentler; great-grandchildren, John, Bobby and Tommy DeFeo, Curtis, Camden and Carly Plourde, and Elle Ouellette; Betty’s great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and godchildren.

He is predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth; siblings, Cecile, Jean Paul (JP), Theresa, Robert, Real and Pauline; in-laws, Richard Arsenault, Henry Maurais, Kathleen Bourque; and son-in-law, Gary Ouellette.

Thank you to the staff and residents at Clover Living Center who gave Emile the hugs and camaraderie he loved so much.

We miss you already, “Top Banana.”

You are invited to offer condolences and pay tribute to Emile’s life by visiting his guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.