JAY — Oneil F. Bourgoin, 83, known to most as Neil, a resident of Jay, died after a bout with cancer on Tuesday, Aug. 8, at his home.

He was born April 20, 1934, in Lewiston, the son of Jean Leon Bourgoin and Yvonne Celina (Caron) Bourgoin. He was educated in Saints Peter & Paul School and St. Dominic High School, then graduated from Bliss Business College. He was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay and had been a member of the Lewiston JCs, the LASKI Ski Club, the Rotary Club and obtained his third degree in the Knights of Columbus. He also sang in many choirs.

Oneil served time in the U.S. Army, and his job entailed secret final clearance. He later worked in sales, receiving many awards and free trips.

Oneil enjoyed anything challenging, including writing letters to the editor, poetry, music and lyrics. He had his song “Aruba Sunsets” published, and also a book entitled, “Pride & Humility: Pride, Its Cause And Its Effect & In Praise Of Humility,” under the pen name Neilsons & D (Neil sons & daughter). Other pleasures were found in carpentry, woodworking, wood-carving, building furniture and cabinets, but his favorite was designing. He loved raised beds vegetable gardening — not only digging into the dirt, but also digging into any information to help the successive growth of each item planted. He loved puns and kidding, and caught people off guard with little humorous interjections.

Surviving are his loving wife and true friend, Marilyn Simpson Bourgoin; his son, Larry Bourgoin and wife, Brenda; his daughter, Lauri Anne Kreiser and husband, Paul “Sonny”; son, Matthew Bourgoin and wife, Bethany; and his “bowling buddy” son, Marc Bourgoin; two stepsons, Tim Kachnovich and wife, Jessica, and Toby Kachnovich and wife, Jennifer; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his brother, “Jos” Leonard Bourgoin and wife, Pauline; his sister, Therese Perron and husband, Richard; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Jean Leon and Yvonne Bourgoin; his sister, Bernadette Laurianne Bourgoin, who died before he was born; and his younger brother, Normand Bourgoin.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.

Oneil F. Bourgoin