Jean Bernard Bourassa

(82)

Jean passed away peacefully on May 20, 2011. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Jean was born May 24, 1928 in Flaxville, Montana. Jean married DeLoris Helseth on January 6, 1951. Jean and DeLoris were married for 60 years and 4 months.

Jean served in the Army from 1951-1953 and fought overseas in the Korean conflict.

Jean was employed by Ford Motor Company from 1953 until 1957 and then again from 1960 until 1965 in Scobey and Helena, Montana. In 1958 until 1960 he operated his own Conoco franchise gasoline station in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1965 he became employed by the General Services Administration (GSA) within the Federal Government as a Mechanic Inspector until 1973 in Malta, Billings, Great Falls, and again back to Malta, Montana. In 1973 he was employed by the Air Force as a Vehicle Control Officer until 1979 in Glasgow, Montana and Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1979, he was employed again by GSA in Billings, Montana until 1989, when he retired. They migrated to Apache Junction, Arizona in 1999 where they have since resided. After retiring, and moving to Arizona, Jean became involved with golf cart repair and maintenance in the park. Jean became the goto “golf cart guy” in the park and was highly respected for his mechanical abilities. His pleasant demeanor with many of the residents made him the favorite for chatting, discussing and repairing golf carts.

Jean is survived by this wife, DeLoris, five children: Jean Brian and (Linda) Bourassa from Windsor, Colorado, Jon Bourassa from Park City, Montana, Mark and (Susan) Bourassa from Timaru, New Zealand, Christine and (Gregg) Johnson from Billings, Montana, and Stuart and (Becky) Bourassa from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He has seven grandchildren: Josh and (Amoreena) Bourassa, Kim and (Will) Rosales, Aurora Bourassa, Sheena and (Nick) Caldwell, Charlie Johnson, Michael Bourassa and Christina Bourassa. He has four great-grandchildren: Julie Bourassa, Ailah Bourassa, Xavier Rosales, Xavier Bourassa.

Jean was preceded in death by his parents, J.B. and Aurora, three sisters, Luella, Delia, Eileen, and one brother, Lyle.

A “Celebration of Life” Memorial will be held at

1:00 p.m. at the Rancho Mirage Clubhouse located at 2400 E. Baseline Ave. Apache Junction, Arizona.

Arrangements under the direction of Melcher Mortuary Mission Chapel & Crematory, Mesa, AZ.