"Chipper" Phillip Bourre, 71

“Chipper” Philip John Bourre 71 of Rainy River, Ontario passed away on Monday January 12, 2009 at Rainy River Hospital. He fought a courageous battle with cancer and passed away peacefully with his family at his side.
Chipper was born in Rainy River on December 11, 1937 where he grew up. He served in the peacetime army and received an honourable discharge from the regiment of the Queens Own Rifles of Canada. He was united in marriage to the former Evelyn Linklater on December 21, 1956 in Birch River, Manitoba. They moved to Thunder Bay where he worked as a truck driver for Lakehead Freightways, and a forklift operator for Canada Car.
They then returned to Rainy River where he worked as a logger for Fred Hartnell. He also worked as a truck driver for Alfred Miller and Murray Meyers. He started working for the Town of Rainy River as a labourer and equipment operator and later he became foreman until his retirement in 1997. He also worked as a hunting guide for Windy Bay Lodge and Harris Hill Resort. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing, he also loved to travel and would sometimes go for a drive and end up in Kenora or Thunder Bay or sometimes they wouldn’t know where they were going until they got there. He loved spending time with his family and friends and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Major Hughes Branch 54 in Rainy River and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by his wife Evelyn, along with six of their children, Barb (Marty Neilson) of North Branch, ON, Lenard (Michelle) of Winnipeg, MB, Richard (Monica) of Vancouver, BC, Philip Jr. (Wendy) of South Junction, MB, Cecil (Freda) of Vancouver, BC, and James of Rainy River. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren, Crystal (Serge) Stamler, Neil Neilson, Candace Bourre, Rachel Bourre, Rebecca Bourre, Tegan Bourre, Rodney Bourre, Debbie Bourre, Christopher Bourre, Kyle Bourre, Cecil Bourre Jr., and Brianna Blacquiere, two great grandchildren, Chelsea and Paige Stamler, brothers Brian Freisting of Thunder Bay, Mike (Audrey) Meunier of Rainy River, sister-in-law Carol Meunier of Stratton, brother-in-law Les Ivall of Rainy River as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Augustus “Gus” Bourre and Lea Freisting, stepfather Don Freisting, two children Leslie and Debbie Bourre, brother Alphonse Meunier, sister Lucy Ivall, and nephew Robert Huls.
A celebration of Chipper’s life was held on Friday, January 16, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Rainy River with Father Dan Debano officiating.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 54 “Colour Party” performed their Legion Tribute prior to the prayer service on Thursday, January 15, 2009.
A private family burial service will be held at a later date.
The honorary pallbearers were all of Chipper’s family and friends.
In memoriam donations can be made to the Rainy River Hospital Memorial Fund or the Canadian Cancer Society in care of Rainy River Funeral Home, Box 427, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3M8.
On-line condolences may be made in care of www.mem.com