Robert John Bourke

Robert John Bourke 

April 29, 1949 – April 3, 2019

It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Bob Bourke. Bob went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at the age of 69 in Fort Macleod, Alberta. He was born in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan to Reverend Robert and Naomi Bourke. He was the eldest of his late sister Pat (Don) Fast and survived by his youngest sister Robin (Jeff) Schatz. Bob lived in Granum, Alberta for the last 42 years where he was an active part of the community. He can be fondly remembered as a counsel member of Granum for many years, the founding president of the Granum golf course, and the man who built the train that used to go around the Granum pond. Bob was a loving husband to Heather Bourke. They met in high school and quickly fell in love. They got married in 1970 and started a family. After some time apart, they reconnected and were married once again on November 11, 2012. They enjoyed their golden years together watching Oilers games, going on picnics with their grandchildren, and hosting family holidays at the “Hacienda” that he built himself.

He was a caring father and grandfather to Bob (Krista) Bourke Jr. (Brandon and Tyler), Leigh (Travis) Park (Sami (Shawn) Jones and Josh), Erin (partner – Henry) Bourke-Henderson (Carter, Dylan, Keaira and Elsi – children of Collin Henderson), Brett (Samantha) Bourke (Brooklyn and Boston), and Tessa Bourke (daughter of Dawn Wood). Bob was a talented and creative mechanic, mentoring many of his employees at Challenger Equipment to become apprentices. He was always proud of their work. He was a knowledgeable and active citizen, cubs leader, baseball and volleyball coach, the star of his very own TV show “Mechanic at Large,” and jack of all trades. His favourite things to do were golf, fish, camp and boat with family and friends. He will be loved and remembered for his storytelling, various contraptions he would build for the family, campfire singalongs, and leadership. Bob felt very grateful to be welcomed back into the church family in the last part of his life. He enjoyed sharing his story about how he was the Prodigal son that had returned. His family finds comfort knowing that he is now walking with his sister and parents in heaven. 

The Memorial Service will be held at the Faith Community Baptist Church - 4404 3 St W, Claresholm - on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 4:00 pm (there will be limited seating at the church), with a stand-up reception of coffee and squares immediately following. There will be a program at the Claresholm Legion - 414 53 Ave E - at 6:00 pm to Celebrate Bob’s Life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the House 1 Community Support Beds at the Fort Macleod Hospital, Box 520, Fort MacLeod, AB T0L 0Z0.

Heather and her family would like to send heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses at the Jack Ady Cancer Centre in Lethbridge, and to Dr. Jeff Jones and nurses in Claresholm. As well as a very special thank you to Dr. Steven Beekman and all of the nurses, aids and the homecare team at the CSB. All of these caring individuals made an extremely hard journey lighter.