JOHN A. BOURGEOIS MILTON - John A. Bourgeois, 86, a longtime Milton resident, died suddenly on Sunday evening, June 28, 2009, in Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. John was born on July 6, 1922, in Chesterville, Ontario, Canada, the son of the late William and Agnes Perrah Bourgeois. He attended school in Alburg, Vt. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II at Fort Ethan Allen in Colchester and became a member of the First Infantry Division "Big Red One." He saw action in the European Theatre of Operations in all major battles. He was wounded in action three times and received three separate Purple Heart awards. He also received the Bronze Star, Oak Leaf Cluster. Following his discharge from the military in June of 1945, he married Marjorie Paradee on July 28, of the same year. In July of this year, they would have celebrated 64 years of marriage together. John and Marjorie purchased the Texaco station in Milton and ran it as Bourgeois Texaco for many years. He was so proud of the fact that Beaver and Bobby Dragon got their start in racing while associated with him. While Beaver and Bobby were racing at Catamount Stadium in Milton, John served as Infield Director of the racetrack for several years. He joined the Milton Fire Department in 1957, retiring after 30 plus years of service as Assistant Chief. A charter member of the American Legion Post 57 in Milton, he also became a life member of the VFW in Milton. John received his high school diploma from Milton High School with the class of 2004, graduating alongside his grandson Casey. It was at his graduation that John proudly accepted his final two army medals; the Vermont Veterans Medal and the Vermont Distinguished Service Medal by his former Army Sgt., the late Harry Adams. John loved to bowl and belonged to the Dust Balls bowling team at the former Yankee Lanes in Colchester and was proud of the fact that his team placed first in the leagues this year. He is survived by his wife Marjorie of Milton and their three children, Paulette Peltier and her husband Lewis of Milton, Jacquelyn Root and her husband Gary of Milton and John Bourgeois and his partner Brian Roy of Milton; his grandchildren, Brandy Peltier of Williston, Casey Root of Washington, D.C. and Kelsey Root of Milton; his surrogate sons, Beaver and Bobby Dragon of Milton; his brother Francois Bourgeois and his wife Irene of Burlington; sisters-in-law, Barbara Russell of Milton and Carrie Bourgeois and Beverly Paradee, both of Jericho; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and cousins; a special longtime family friend, Sally White of Milton; and all his family pets, Nellie, Sadie, Jett, Riley, Roxy, Bruschi, Boozie and Jelly. He was predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Victor Bourgeois, Ida Rivais, Mary Demaris, Leo, Wilfred and Eugene Bourgeois, Leonard Russell and Jack Paradee. A celebration of John's life followed by full military honors will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at 4 p.m. in the Minor Funeral Home, Route 7 in Milton, with the Reverend Elizabeth Griffin officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family.,In the Arlington National cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until the hour of the service on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers it is asked that contributions be made to The Flag Trust, created for the maintenance of flags along Route 7 in Milton, c/o John Cushing, P.O. Box 101, Milton, VT 05468. Online condolences may to made to the family at www.minorfh .com .


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