Francis L. Bourcier

Francis L. Bourcier 86 of Nash Hill Rd. Ludlow died Thursday evening at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. Born in the Three Rivers Village of Palmer, MA September 15, 1921 he was the son of the late Bertha (Plouffe) and Lionel Bourcier Sr. Moving to Ludlow at a young age, he was educated in local schools he attended Cathedral and Ludlow High School and was a 1939 Graduate. He later attended American International College and majored in political science. On October 11, 1941 he married Fabiola E. Syriac and together shared 66 years of marriage. During World War II Francis proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army attaining the rank of Master Sergeant, with the Headquarters Military Intelligence Service. He attended the Military Training Center in Maryland, served on a fact finding mission in Northeast France and Belgium in conjunction with the Marshall Plan based on information documented in that mission. He also saw service at the Battle of the Bulge and Rhineland campaigns. In his professional career he worked for the former Springfield Armory, and Chapman Valve Co. as a machinist, he worked for Swift & Co. as a salesman he later worked for New England Telephone Co. with 20 years as a central office switchman, 6 years as the business office manager in Palmer and 6 years as the PBX Inventory Manager for Western Massachusetts and Vermont. A faithful Communicant of St. John the Baptist Church, he was a longtime member of the League of the Sacred Heart, was a lector and usher, and served on various parish committees and boards. Active in the Town of Ludlow Government, he served as a member of its finance committee for 3 years, and was a 9 year member of the Board of Selectmen. He was Chairman of the Fire and Police Complex, and the Town Office Complex Building Committees. He was a member and Past Commander of American Legion Post 52, the Ludlow VFW Post 3236, a member of the Association of Wood Turners of America, and the craftsman Guild of Greater Springfield. He was nominated to the who’s who in the East in 1975 and 1976. In his retirement years he enjoyed the great outdoors as an avid sportsman with countless fishing trips to Canada. He also operated Fran’s Fine Woodworking and took part in many crafts shows through out the area; many of his works were displayed on Nantucket and at the Trapp Family Lodge in Vermont. He is survived by his loving family, his wife Fabiola, sons Donald and his wife Anita of West Springfield, MA David and his wife Linda of Ludlow, MA his daughters Suzanne McKirdy and her husband of Woodbury, CT Denise Tomlinson and her husband Alan, Rochelle Patrie and her husband Fred both of Ludlow, MA Sadly he was predeceased by his daughter Michelle Bourcier. Also survived by his brother of Bernard Bourcier of Pearl City, HI and his sister Bernadette Bourbeau of Ludlow. Grandfather of 14, great grandfather of 14, he is also survived by many extended family members and friends. He was pre-deceased by siblings Lionel Jr., Eugene, Charles, Lawrence, and Theresa Ford.

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