James Norris Bourque

Bourque, James Norris (Nor/Jim), 80, of Jacksonville, FL, went to meet our heavenly Father on April 6, 2023, surrounded by his amazing healthcare givers at Community Hospice at Baptist South Hospital following a lengthy hospital stay.  Born to Esta Bourque (Father), and Lelia Broussard Bourque (Mother) on August 22, 1942, in Jennings, LA. He was a devout Catholic who enlisted into the United States Navy at only 16 years of age, where he served 7 tours in the Vietnam War. While serving in the Navy, he met the love of his life at a New Years Eve Party in Boston, Massachusetts, Joan Mary Rondeau, who later became his wife. After retiring from the Navy, they settled down in Jacksonville, FL.  He then worked for 30 years as a Master Mechanic and Welder at Ortega Industrial Contractors in Mandarin.  He and his wife raised 4 children together. He was then gifted with 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, who were the apple of his eye. His family liked to describe him as the “rock” and the “go-to” guy, the one person anyone could always rely on. The person that you know will be strong when everyone else isn't. Not only was he the “go-to” guy, but he was the ultimate “fixer.” If ever anything was broken, and needing fixing, he was the man to call.  His legacy will live on through his beloved children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who meant the world to him. 

He is preceded in death by his wife, Joan Mary Bourque, and 3 of his siblings, Thomas J Bourque, Wallace J Bourque, and Joanne Bourque. He is survived by 4 of his siblings, John Emery Bourque, Esther Mae Bourque Boone, Mildred Bourque Falke, and Gloria Bourque Vincent. He is also survived by his 4 children, James Norris Bourque Jr (Maritza), Steven Rae Bourque (Sheila), William Joseph Bourque, and Cynthia Ann Coffey (John), his grandchildren, Brooke Ashlie Bourque, Alexander Christian Bourque, Bradley Ryan Bourque, Hunter Allen Bourque (Lauren), Jade Taylor Bourque-Erskine (Derrick), Chase Avery Coffey, Chloe Azlyn Coffey, Callie Shae Fussell, his two great-grandchildren, Felton James Erskine and Joseph Elijah Erskine, as well as his nieces, Charlene Bourque Cross, Elizabeth Bourque Hostetler, Janice Lejeune, Barbara Bourque Wenner, and his nephews, Bubba Bourque, COL Dean James Rondeau Ret. United States Army (Shelley), Rhonda Petrillo and CJ Mattos.

He and his wife and best friend of 55 years, Joan Mary Bourque, will have internment at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Lane #2, Jacksonville, FL 32218 on April 28, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.  Afterwards, there will be a celebration of their lives at an alternate venue. In lieu of flowers, the family requests to honor our nation’s military by making a donation in his name to K9s for Warriors, 114 Camp K9 Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081.