Thomas Tom G. Bouffard

He was born in New York City, NY on February 11, 1940, the son of R. Joseph Bouffard, who grew up in Keene, NH, and his wife Marie (Berry) Bouffard.

He graduated from St. Luke’s High School in Ho Ho Kus, NJ, and completed his undergraduate study at Fordham University in New York City in 1961, graduating summa cum laude. He spent two years in the 1960s in Columbia University’s competitive Teachers in East Africa (TEA) program when many African countries had recently obtained independence. After college he later earned his Ph.D in Marine Biology from Fordham University. During this period he also studied at the prestigious Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, MA.

He spent the majority of his professional career as a biology professor at the City University of New York, from which he retired in 1996. In 1972, he co-authored A Biology of Human Concern, a comprehensive introductory science textbook.

Moving to New Hampshire in 2007, Dr. Bouffard used his knowledge of marine biology to implement strong water quality standards for Wilson Pond. He was also a board member of the American-Canadian Genealogical Society, a Manchester, NH-based organization specializing in research related to French-Canadian ancestral lineages.

Tom was passionate about many hobbies. In his younger years, he became a skilled skier and scuba diver, earning a Master Diver certification. Tom was also able to build a computer from scratch in the 1990s and taught himself principles of the Internet long before it was widespread. In more recent years, he devoted himself to maintaining an extensive, environmentally friendly garden.

Tom was a man who loved good food, good wine, good friends, and thoughtful, intellectual discussion.

He is survived by his brother, Msgr. James Bouffard, of Plainfield, NJ; 2 sisters, Joanne Bouffard Vogt of Plainfield, and Eileen Smith of Okland, CA; his nephew William Vogt and his brother-in-law Richard Vogt, both of Plainfield; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends. He is predeceased by his oldest brother, Edward J. Bouffard.

His family is especially grateful for the care and support of cousin, Karen Hassanein, Neal and Beverly Boyd, niece Diane Miller, and Daniel Champagne.

Family and friends are invited to call on Friday, March 07, 2014 from 10:00 – 11:30AM in the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH. A graveside service, with committal prayers offered by Msgr. James Bouffard, will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Main Street, Keene.

For those who wish, donations may be made in Mr. Bouffard’s memory to the American-Canadian Genealogical Society, PO Box 6478, Manchester, NH 03108-6478, or to the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life Keene State College, NH, 2 Commerce Drive, Suite 110, Bedford, NH 03110-5032.