Owen Joseph Bourgeois Sr.

Owen Joseph Bourgeois, Sr., age 88, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Sunday, May 24, 2015. He was a native of New Orleans, LA, and a resident of Poplarville, MS. He was the beloved husband of the late Della Jean Cupit Bourgeois. He was the son of the late Ella Marie Veron and the late Ovide Bourgeois, Sr. He is adored by his 6 children: Gerry (deceased), Sandy (deceased (Jim(deceased)), Cynthia (Tom), Brenda (Tommy), Owen Jr. (Pam), and Pam (David(deceased)); his 20 grandchildren Cedar, Stephanie (Chris), Shannan (Mike), Sean (Keri), Jessica (deceased), Daphne, Calliope (Jimmy), Angeline (Ryan), Dorothy (Micah), Ella Marie, Emanuel, Lynn, Jason (deceased), Summer (Travis), Winter (Jason), Jean-Pierre (Jen), April (Ryan), Austin, Owen III, and Zachary; his 30 great-grandchildren Zen, Coral, Courtney, Matthew, Connor, Della, Abby, Hadley, Brynn, George, Dylan, Kaya, Micah, Heidi, Ryan, Micah, Olivia Pearl and twins Jordan and Anthony, Damien (Samantha), Lynn Thomas III, Anicet, Brilee, Brady, Brennan, Brycen, and baby boy Broussard, Juniper and baby boy Sameluk, and Miriam. He was the brother of Ovide Jr. (deceased), Blanche (deceased), Rosemary, Robert (deceased), Donald, Edward, Carl (deceased), Carolyn (deceased), Yvonne, Sylvia, and Ella Marie (deceased). He was the devoted son-in-law of the late Jessie Lee Posey. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Born July 28, 1926, Owen was known by many names: Owen, Joe, Daddy, John, Papa, and Popo. He was and continues to be a great inspiration for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He had unconditional love for all of his family. He also had a positive outlook on life, finding the humor and lightheartedness in any situation.

Owen lived and breathed music. In the 1950's he joined The Sparks as the piano player and after a long and successful career the band was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. In addition to his music career, Owen started his own upholstery business in the late 1960's.

An adventurer at heart, Owen began taking vacations with his beloved wife, Jean, in 1971. Owen and Jean took their children and later their grandchildren with them on these cross-country trips, and Owen hiked the 21-mile journey twice down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. After his "sweet", Della Jean, passed in 1995, he continued traveling with his family for another 10 years. His love for the outdoors overflowed into his passion for gardening.

Everyone Papa loved, he loved without hesitation, always with a kind word and an open heart. It is a bittersweet goodbye for Owen's family as they remember his abundance of love, the richness of his life, his passion for music, and his positive perspective on life and those he loved.

Like the 88 keys on the piano that Owen played, his 88 years have left an indelible mark on all who knew him. He never needed to call Rent-a-Crowd.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the memorial gathering at St. Mary’s Assumption Church, 923 Josephine Street, New Orleans, LA on Saturday, May 30, 2015 beginning at 10:00 AM with a Memorial Mass to follow at 12:00 noon. (Parking will be available in the St. Alphonsus School parking lot on St. Andrew Street.) Private inurnment will be in Forrest Lawn Cemetery, Poplarville, MS at a later date. No flowers please. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society in Mr. Bourgeois honor. The online guestbook is available at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.