NH Knights

Edwin F. "Ed" Bourassa, Sr. 73, of Water Street, Keene, NH, died Wednesday, May 08, 2013, with his family at his side, at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, following a period of failing health.
He was born in Keene, NH, May 10, 1939, the son of Leon F. and Angelina M. (Wilcox) Bourassa. A lifelong resident of Keene, he attended St. Joseph's Regional School, was a graduate of Keene High School and later St. Anselm College.
He was an Air Force veteran, stationed in Tokyo, Japan.
Mr. Bourassa worked in law enforcement for twenty-one years, first for seven years with the City of Keene Police Department, and then for fourteen years as a part-time police officer with the Town of Swanzey Police Department, where he was promoted to Lieutenant.
For 23 years, he worked at National Grange Mutual Insurance in Keene, first in underwriting and then as Corporate Assistant Secretary and Department Manager of the Processing Services for their Information Systems and Services.
In 1967, he received the honors of the Admissions Degree in The Knights of Columbus in the Richard P. Gilbo Council No. 5414 in Keene, NH. He served his council in the various offices, and was elected Grand Knight on five occasions.
He served the New Hampshire State Council in many capacities including; four years as State Membership Director, one year as Catholic Activities Director, two years as District Warden, two years as District Deputy and five years as State Ceremonials Director. In 1975, he was elected The State Deputy of New Hampshire, and re-elected to that position in 1976. While serving in the office of State Deputy, Ed is credited with the institution of eight new councils in that jurisdiction. He also founded The New Hampshire Past State Deputies Association and served as its President a year later.
Mr. Bourassa is a member of The John F. Kennedy Assembly, Fourth Degree, in Keene, where he filled the various offices of the Assembly and served as Navigator for two years.
In October, 1977, he was elevated by The Supreme Board of Directors to the office of Vice Supreme Master of the Bishop James A. Healy Province and served in that office until October 1981. While he was serving as Vice Supreme Master, Bishop Healy Province instituted eighteen new assemblies.
He has received numerous awards from the Knights of Columbus including: The Supreme Knights Certificate of Commendation, New Hampshire District Deputy of the Year in 1974; Knight of the Year from Council No. 5414 in 1974 and again in 1981; Massachusetts Legion of Merit in 1980; and the Bourassa family was chosen by Council No. 5414 as The Catholic Family of the Year in 1977.
He was very active in church and community programs in Keene where he served St. Bernard's Parish as a member of the Pastoral Council and as a Lector. Past offices include: President of the Keene Little League; Member of the Board of Directors for The Cheshire County Association for Handicapped Citizens; Member of the Board of Directors of the Oblate Retreat House, Hudson, NH; and Captain of the Monadnock United Way Fund.
On April 25, 1982, The State of Connecticut Fourth Degree, District No. 1, in the Centennial Year of the Order of The Knights of Columbus, honored Ed by naming The Fourth Degree Class in his honor.
In 1985, the New Hampshire State Legislature passed a "Legislative Resolution" naming Ed as an outstanding citizen and presented him with a proclamation so honoring him.
He was an avid Red Sox fan, and he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Janice J. (Naylor) Bourassa of Keene, his children; Doreen M. Gebhardt and her husband, Rick, of Keene, Edwin F. Bourassa, Jr. and his wife, Michelle J., of Keene, Candace A. Frazier and her husband, Daniel, of Williston, VT, Nancy A. Weston and her husband, Michael, of Hinsdale, NH; sixteen grandchildren; Rick Gebhardt, Jr., Nicholas Gebhardt, Staci Gebhardt, Danielle Coll, Michelle L. Bourassa, Lauren Dutilley, Abigail Dutilley, Zachary Bourassa, Melissa Gebhardt, Meghan Frazier, Timothy Frazier, Chelsey Frazier, Brittany Weston, Jordan Bergeron, Madison Weston, Thomas Weston; nine great-grandchildren; a brother, Gene Bourassa and his wife, Patty, of Keene; a sister, Sandy Spring of Keene; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter, LuAnn Bourassa in September 2012; three brothers and five sisters.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 10:00 AM in St. Bernard Church, 185 Main Street, Keene. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Main Street, Keene. Family and friends are invited to call on Friday evening from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at St. Bernard Church. Members of the Knights of Columbus Councils will form an honor guard at the church and a rosary will be offered at 7:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mr. Bourassa's memory to the Castle Center, 312 Marlboro Street, Keene, NH 03431.
The Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Dear fellow Knights!

I received a call from Aaron Boudreau a few hours ago. Normand is still at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital. He is still very very sick. He soon will be receiving a new round of chemotherapy. The plans are to move him to Concord in the near future, Aaron said that his father would enjoy visitors from the Knights.

Anyone wanting to visit need to check first with Aaron 998-2806 or Janice 286-2455.

Prayers of course are always in order. Thank you.

G.N.  Dick Leclerc

Worthy Brothers,

I just spoke with Janet Ingham. District Master Tom Ingham has sustained a back injury during the recent storm that has progressed. He may require surgery this week. He is home as of today but he is in a great deal of pain.

Please keep Tom in your prayers.

Fraternally,
ST Wayne Griffin

Brothers,

See below note from Ruth Provencal that I received Monday night....

Please keep Bud in your prayers for a speedy recovery.

Fraternally,
Bob Modrak
Financial Secretary
St. Thomas Aquinas Council, No. 3023
Derry, NH

---

My husband Bud, and I spent 14 hours in the emergency room at St Joseph's in Nashua today. I brought him home. He is on meds, and will see another doctor again tomorrow but, he is not out of the thick and heavy woods.

Only God can heal Bud and, this I pray for another miracle for him, so he can continue on his work for the Lord.

Please keep Bud in your prayers. God bless you.
Ruth

Update as of 3:30pm Tuesday

Norm went through his test and passed. His existing Stint was ok but he may still have another small blockage somewhere. He is being released to go home with bed rest and medication.

Please keep him in your prayers for a speedy recovery.

Brothers and families,

Pray for a miracle via the intercession of Father Michael McGivney for brother Randy McClellan today. He is currently having trouble breathing and is on the way to the hospital. No replacement lung is available; however, Randy is first on the list when a match comes up.

9-Day Novena

Brothers and Sisters, Please keep my brother Eugene Gilbert in your prayers. He had a stroke and is disoriented. He is currently in a Cleveland hospital being evaluated. Keep his wife Jeanne in your prayers also. She depended on Gene for many things and is bravely holding up with the help of their daughter who lives in the area. Bob Gilbert PGK 6725 PFN 1506

Brothers all,

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our Brother Sir Knight Raymond Carignan.  Ray passed into the arms of God on Wednesday, February 8 after a courageous battle with a long term illness.  Ray served the Knights of Columbus as Grand Knight at Council 4961 in Hooksett and as Faithful Navigator of theManchester Assembly.  Most recently Ray was on a return engagement as District Deputy covering NH District 16.  Ray had been District Deputy of the Year in a former assignment.

There will be a wake for our Brother Raymond at J. N. Bouffard Funeral Home on Bridge St. in Manchester on Sunday, February 12 from 4 to 8 PM.  There will be a funeral liturgy on Monday, February 13 at 10 AM at St. Peter Church in Auburn, NH.

The charity of your prayers for the repose of Raymond's soul will be apprieciated.  Also remember his wife Jeanette in your daily prayer as she navigates through these days of grief.

Rest in peace Brother, rest in peace.

Joel Plante, State Deputy

---

Additional information on Ray

Hooksett– Raymond G. Carignan, 72, died February 8, 2012 at home after a brief illness.

He was born in Manchester on June 27, 1939 the son of Archille and Juliette (Duperron) Carignan and had been a lifelong resident of Hooksett.

He graduated from Bishop Bradley High School Class of 1958 and served in the US Army National Guard for 30 years. He retired from United States Post Office in 1999 after 33 years of employment.

He was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, he held membership in the Hooksett American Legion, the Association Canado-Americaine, E.A.N.G.U.S., and was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling.

Members of his family include his wife of 15 years Jeannette (Bernier) Carignan of Hooksett, 3 sons, Donald Carignan and his wife Sarah of Allenstown, Robert Carignan and his wife Patricia of Bow, David Carignan and his wife Valerie of Hooksett, 2 step daughters, Deborah Sullivan and her husband Michael of Raymond, Christine Bellofatto and her husband Joseph of Clarksville, TN., 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, 1 sister Lillian Mundry of Hooksett, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 2 brothers Archille and Henry Carignan.

Services: Calling hours will be Sunday from 4 to 8 PM at the J.N. Boufford & Sons Funeral Home, 110 Bridge St.. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 AM in St. Peter’s Church, Auburn. Burial with Military Honors will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Precious Blood Monastery, 700 Bridge St., Manchester, NH 03104