Thomas E. Bourdon's Obituary
Mr. Thomas E. Bourdon, age 95, passed away Sunday, August 6, 2017. Tom was born September 12, 1921 to Earl and Gladys (Eby) Bourdon in Hastings, MI. On March 8, 1944, he married Charline Matych and she preceded him in death on August 19, 2006 after 62 years of marriage. Lieutenant Thomas Bourdon proudly served his country during WWII in the Navy and where his heroic actions in bombing a Japanese aircraft carrier earned him the distinguished Navy Cross, the second highest awarded medal for combat bravery. During his service, he saw action over the Philippines, Taiwan, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, French Indochina, the South China Sea and Tokyo Bay earning him two Air Medals. He attained the rank of Commander before retiring from the Reserves. Tom also retired as a supervisor from Anaconda Wire and Cable. In 1960, he invented and patented the portable Easy Dock. After retirement, he enjoyed wintering in Sierra Vista, AZ and summering at his Ford Lake cottage. He is a longtime member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. He was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who will be greatly missed by his children, Donald E. (Cynthia) Bourdon, Thomas F. (Paula) Bourdon, Bruce M. (Marti) Bourdon, Patrick J. (Linda) Bourdon, Peggy L. (Steven) Crow, Timothy John (Barbara) Bourdon, Jody M. (Michael) Ulfsax; grandchildren, Julie (Geoff), David (Erica), Nancy (Andre), Anne, Alicia (Phil), Michael, Becky (Jason), Nicole, Thomas (Jori), Ami (Craig), Joseph, Beth (Brendan), Laura (Chad), Jacob (Corrie), Zachary (Julie), Aiyana (Matt), Kevin, Kelli, Amanda (Steve), Jenna, Matt (Caitlyn), Andrew and Adam; great-grandchildren, William, Matthew, Lauren, Anne, Mason, Karli, Brady, Gwenyth, Sophia and Charlotte, Jack, Claire, Max, Adalyn, Averie, Olivia, Jack, Ava, Reese, and Gwenyth; and his sister, Mary Ann (Jim) Thelen. Tom was also preceded in death by his daughter, Anne Gregg; grandson, John Bourdon; and brothers, Richard, Vern and Joseph Bourdon. A MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be 11:00 AM Friday, August 11, 2017 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 2929 McCracken Ave. Visitation will be 6-8 PM Thursday, August 10, at The Walburn Chapel, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd. (231) 759-8565. Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project or Harbor Hospice Foundation. Share memories with Tom’s family at www.sytsemafh.com.
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