Obituary of Raymond A. Bourcier

Raymond A. Bourcier 1916 - 2012 SPRINGFIELD - Raymond A. Bourcier, 95, of Springfield died Sunday, April 15, 2012 surrounded by his family at his home. Raymond, a son of the late Stanislaus and Regina (Lemieux) Bourcier was born in Ottawa P.Q. Canada on August 22, 1916. Raised in Springfield he graduated from the High School of Commerce. Raymond was employed by the City of Springfield as a fire fighter for 30 years and retired from the East Springfield Station in 1982. He resided in Springfield most of his life, was a communicant of Mary, Mother of Hope Church, the Springfield Fire Department's Privates Club, and was a former member of the Chicopee Lodge of Elk. Raymond was drafted into the Army in 1937 and then later reenlisted with the United States Army during WWII. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his 1st wife of 50 years, Dora (LeBlanc) Bourcier, and his 2nd wife of 16 years Lois G. (Wilcox) Grimaldi, a brother, Gerard Bourcier, and a sister, Amy Lemelin. He is survived by a daughter, Rita M. Bessey of Chicopee; a sister, Gabriel Hickenbotham of Torrance, CA; five grandchildren, Charlene, Raymond, Doreen, Melissa, and James; five great grandchildren, Michelle, Angela, Kyle, Ryan, and Shoshanna; three great great grandchildren, Brandon, Dylan, and Mia. Visiting hours for Raymond will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 4 to 7 at Sampson's Liberty Street Funeral Home, 710 Liberty Street, Springfield. His funeral will be held on Friday, April 20, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. at the funeral home followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Blvd. Springfield. Rites of Committal and Interment with Military Honors will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield. Memorial contributions in Raymond's memory may be made to Springfield Fire Department 911Memorial, 605 Worthington Street, Springfield, MA 01105.