Donald Paul Bourassa

Donald Paul Bourassa, age 88, of Kankakee passed away Thursday, February 1, 2024, at his home and surrounded by the love of his family. He was born at home on November 4, 1935, in Bradley, Illinois, the son of Doreen Brais Bourassa and Melvin Bourassa. He grew up in Bradley with his three brothers Ronald, John, Everett and one sister Charlene. He attended St. Joseph Grade School and Bradley-Bourbonnais High School. After high school he enlisted in the US Navy and was on active duty on the USS DEALEY, a Destroyer Escort, honorably discharged in 1962. On July 9, 1977, he married Patricia Ann Rivard at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kankakee and after 40 years of marriage renewed their vows on the beach of Maui, HI. He worked at Bradley Roper for 25 years. Don spent 48 years as a Real Estate Broker, CRS, & GRI between Illinois Real Estate, Coldwell Banker and retired from Rosenboom Realty in 2018. In his career, he was the instructor for Kankakee County Association Licensing in Illinois and continuing education in real estate. He served as the President of the Kankakee County Association of Realtors. He was a member of St Rose of Lima Chapel. He enjoyed going to any and all of his grandchildren’s events; whether it was a sporting event, musical or dance event. He loved going on vacations with family and friends. He especially loved traveling with his grandchildren as that had a very special place in his heart. He cherished times that he spent teaching them all about anything and everything. He was a die hard Chicago Bears fan and enjoyed sharing season tickets with his friends and family. Surviving are his loving and devoted wife of 46 years, Patricia Bourassa, of Kankakee; four daughters, Sharilyn (Jeff) Star, of St. Charles, Julie (Robert) Hanhart, of Frankfort, Janet Bourassa of Topeka, KS, and Kim Andrews of Topeka, KS; two sons, James M. (Karla) Knecht, of Frankfort, David Bourassa, of Topeka, KS; eight grandchildren, Sarah (Nathan) Toepper, Savannah (Christian) Straw, Michael Anton, Nicholas Anton, Thomas Anton, Philip Anton, Paige Knecht and Peyton Knecht; one great grandchild, Vivian Rose Toepper; a brother and sister-in-law, John (Susan) Bourassa of Goodrich; brother-in-law, Russ (Toni) Rivard, of Summerfield, FL. Preceding him in death are his parents, two brothers, Everett Bourassa, Ronald Bourassa and one sister, Charlene Harms and great-granddaughter, Lilly Isabella Toepper. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. An additional time of visitation will be from 10 a.m. Friday, February 9, until the 11 a.m. funeral at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. Interment will be in All Saints Cemetery. Memorials may be made for the wishes of the family.

Donald Paul Bourassa

November 4, 1935 - February 1, 2024