BOURK
Arthur Godfrey (Bud)
Died peacefully at home in Victoria in his 88th year. He will be lovingly remembered by his children Russell (Lindsay), Susan and Deborah (Michael Kelly), cherished by his grandchildren Tara and Zane, and missed by his extended family and friends. He is predeceased by his wife, Frances (Bain), sister, Thelma Jenkins and wife, Joyce (Miller, Gillespie). Bud was born in Duperow, Saskatchewan and attended high school at St. John's College in Winnipeg, Manitoba. While serving in the Canadian Army during the Second World War, he was stationed in Red Deer and the Columbia Icefields, and he became a skier and fell in love with Alberta. He married Fran (Brandon, Manitoba) after the war and they moved to Red Deer where they started a business and raised their family. Bud instilled a love of the outdoors in his children who joined him in skiing, boating and gardening. He owned Bud Bourk's Men's Shop and the Tog Shop. He later managed the Chamber of Commerce before purchasing the Bowladrome, which he owned and managed for five years. Bud will be remembered for his commitment to community service in Red Deer, including: district governor for the Kinsmen club, K-40, an active Mason, Shriner, chair of the Red Deer General Hospital Board, chair of the AMA Board, chair of the local United Way campaign, member of the Rotary club for years and a founding supporter of the annual Folk Festival, also active with the Exhibition Association and served with the parade committee for more than 20 years. In later years, Bud married Joyce and they enjoyed their extended family. They spent several winters in Arizona where Bud found an outlet for his love of the banjo by playing in an all banjo band. They lived on Vancouver Island, most recently (20 years) in Arbutus Ridge, where they enjoyed the golfing community and Bud spent hours on the water becoming famous for his home-smoked salmon and buckets of prawns. Bud spent the past 16 months in Victoria where he made special friends at Parkwood Place. A celebration of Bud Bourk's life will be held on October 31, 2009 at 2 p.m. at First Memorial Funeral Services, 4725 Falaise Drive in Victoria. If desired, donations may be made to Nature Conservancy Canada at:
www.giftsofnature.ca