John Peter Bourque

John “Peter” Bourque, 87, of Jaffrey, NH died on February 23, 2017 at the Good Shepherd Healthcare Center after a period of declining health.

Peter was born on May 23, 1929 in Dover, NH, son of the late Omer and Ruth (Mahoney) Bourque. While attending Dover High School, he was a proud member of the State Championship football team and graduated in 1949, at which point he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served his country faithfully in Korea as a tank mechanic.

He resided in Dover, NH at the beginning of his adult life and worked for Bourque’s Dry Cleaning business as a part owner. While in Dover, Peter was a member of the Knights of Columbus, attaining the rank of 3rd Degree Knight, and became an active lifelong member of the Elks Club. He came to Jaffrey to work at Elite Laundry but soon began his 33 year career at D.D. Bean & Sons as a punch press operator. An avid golfer, after his retirement, he worked at The Shattuck.

He was married to Olive Bourque for 40 years and together they traveled quite extensively on behalf of the VFW, the Women’s Auxiliary at the VFW and the Grange. He served as Post Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post # 5613 and was a 50 year member of John Humiston American Legion Post #11. He was also a member of the Jaffrey Lions Club and Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance Service.

Peter was a fixture at Conant High School basketball and baseball games and also at the Franklin Pierce games. He was a member of the color guard and participated in countless parades and events. Many people will remember passing by his and Olive’s house on Main Street and getting a wave while he held a little dog in his arms. Peter always had a smile for everyone and had more friends than he could ever imagine.

He is survived by his extended family and many close friends including Reverend Emily Preston, Ric Fernald and Marc Tieger. Many thanks to all of you who visited Peter during his two year residence at Good Shepherd and to everyone at Good Shepherd, especially those in the Bryson Wing for the care and genuine affection given to Peter. He will be missed.

A Calling Hour will be held on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at the Cournoyer Funeral Home at 33 River Street in Jaffrey at 10:00am, followed there by a service at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Peter’s name to the Jaffrey VFW Memorial Post #5613, PO Box 483, Jaffrey, NH 03452.