Roy William Bourgeois of Buda, Texas, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 10th, at the age of 83. Roy was born on December 30th, 1942, in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Roy Joseph Bourgeois and Sophie Ann Bourgeois. He grew up in nearby Wilbraham, Massachusetts, where he spent his early years surrounded by family and friends.

After graduating from high school in 1959, Roy proudly joined the United States Army and served until his honorable discharge in 1962. While stationed in San Antonio, Texas, he met Mary Ann Haby, the woman who would become his wife and the love of his life. They married on July 20th, 1963, and shared 43 wonderful years together until Mary Ann’s passing in 2006.

In 1982, Roy, Mary Ann, and their two children, Jeff and Michelle, relocated to Austin, Texas, to be closer to Mary Ann’s family. Roy went on to work as a United States Postal Service carrier for 23 years, retiring in 2005. During his years at the post office, Roy formed many lasting friendships that became part of the extended Bourgeois family.

Roy was a warm, outgoing, and social man who never met a stranger. He loved being surrounded by his family and friends and cherished the many friendships he made throughout his life. His dogs were also an important part of his family, and over the years he loved and cared for King, Princess, Skipper, Casey, and Tasha.

Roy and Mary Ann enjoyed traveling, making frequent trips to Massachusetts to visit family and taking vacations to the beach and Colorado. He always carried a special love for his home state of Massachusetts, where he enjoyed fishing in every season, including ice fishing. He also loved trips to Las Vegas with his buddies, watching football, sharing stories, and enjoying a few beers with good friends.

Roy had a wonderful appreciation for the simple pleasures in life, especially good food and good company. He always insisted that Mary Ann was his favorite cook, often saying that she could make anything and that it would always taste better when she made it than anything he could order at a restaurant. It was one of the many ways he kept her memory and their life together close to his heart.

Roy’s greatest joy was the people he loved. He treasured his family, his lifelong friends, and the many people who became part of his life along the way. His easygoing personality, sense of humor, stories, and genuine love of conversation will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Roy was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Ann Haby Bourgeois; his son, Jeffery Bourgeois; his parents, Roy Joseph Bourgeois and Sophie Ann Bourgeois; and his paternal and maternal grandparents.

He is survived by his daughter, Michelle Bourgeois-Hager, and son-in-law, Scott Hager; his sister-in-law, Pat Haby Smith; his nieces, Karen Donahoe, Paula Hyde, and Nancy Eichner; and his nephews, Lynn Haby, Darrell Haby, and Brian Haby. He is also survived by his cousins, Pattie Lindberg, Cyndy Thomsen, and James “Sparky” Spooner; two very special friends, Sam Laiten and Eddie Alacorn, who became like family to Roy; and his lifelong friends Gary Matthess and Eddie Kirby. Roy also leaves behind many cherished friends in Texas and Massachusetts, as well as the wonderful friends he made most recently at Arbor Terrace Assisted Living Community.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff and community at Arbor Terrace Assisted Living for the kindness, friendship, and compassionate care they showed Roy during the two years he lived there. Roy quickly became a familiar and beloved face in the community. He was a regular at the poker and blackjack games and happy hours, and he especially enjoyed playing cribbage with his friend, Cliff. The friendships he made there brought him companionship, laughter, and many happy moments.

Roy leaves behind a lifetime of memories, stories, friendships, and love. He will be remembered for his generous spirit, his sense of humor, his love of family and friends, and his ability to find joy in the people and simple pleasures around him. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 28th from 4-6PM at Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham. Family and friends may meet for Roy's Funeral Mass on Saturday, August 29th at 10 AM at St. Cecilia Church, 42 Main St., Wilbraham. Burial will follow in St. Anne's Cemetery, Three Rivers.