The Life of Edward C Bourgeois
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 10, 2013 at a 10:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial in Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lafayette for Edward Charles Bourgeois, Jr., 73, who died on Friday, June 7, 2013 at his residence in Lafayette with his devoted wife of 51 years by his side. The Divine Mercy Chaplet had just been offered for his suffering and a peaceful death, and moments later Mr. Bourgeois left this world to meet his Savior.
Entombment will be in Holy Mary Mother of God Mausoleum in Lafayette.
The Very Reverend Miles Walsh, Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Lectors will be Louis Perret and Lisa Hotard. Giftbearers will be Katelyn Bourgeois, Kelsie Bourgeois, Alli Bourgeois, and Camille Gallagher.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 51 years, Betty A. Bourgeois; his son, Edward C. Bourgeois, III and his wife Lucille; his daughter, Michelle B. Gallagher and her husband Paul; four granddaughters, Katelyn Bourgeois, Kelsie Bourgeois, Alli Bourgeois and Camille Gallagher; one sister, Dotty Trenchard; and one brother, Elmer Bourgeois.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward "Frenchie" Bourgeois; one sister, Katie Scheib; and one brother, Jack Bourgeois.
Ed was born in Lockport, Louisiana in 1939 and enjoyed his high school years in Church Point, Louisiana where he met his bride and entertained lots of Cajuns with his band "Eddy Ready and the Boogie Ramblers." While serving as a Military Police Investigator stationed in Hokkaido, Japan, he was the second American to receive a black belt in the art of Aikido. After his time in the Army, Ed attended college and married Betty Arceneaux of Church Point in 1961 and after a short time in New Orleans, the couple settled in Lafayette in 1964.
Ed owned a Texaco service station and then began a 40 year career as a Claims Manager with several insurance companies. He was actively involved in inter-company arbitration forums, as well as serving as President of the Lions Club, Louisiana Claims Association, and headed up the Booster Club and other parent organizations at Our Lady of Fatima School. Ed''s love of cooking was shared with so many, including his church community of Holy Cross where he and his wife enjoyed preparing lots of parish dinners for clergy and others. Ed enjoyed traveling, the horse races, gardening with his wife, and attending many events for his grandchildren. Edward Charles Bourgeois, Jr. was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all who knew him and will be dearly missed.
Pallbearers will be Josh Bourgeois, Ron Bourgeois, Bruce Larriviere, Tom Grace, Louis Perret, and Pat Johnson.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Barry Dreyfus, Jay Scheib, Mike Bourgeois, and Andy Bourgeois.
The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille''s SOUTHSIDE location on Sunday, June 9, 2013 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM and on Monday from 8:00 AM until time of service.
A Rosary will be recited Sunday at 5:00 PM in Martin & Castille Funeral Home.
The family would like to thank the Cardiac staff on the third and sixth floors of Lafayette General Medical Center and especially Dr. Lester Ducoted for his 23 years of dedicated care to our father.
Donations can be made to Hospice of Acadiana at http://hospiceacadiana.com.
Martin & Castille-SOUTHSIDE-600 E. Farrel Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508, 337-984-2811
