Augustus W. '"Gussy"' Bourgeois

Boonville - Augustus W. "Gussy" Bourgeois, 74, of State Route 12 at Denley Road, passed away after a long illness on Thursday, February 24, 2011, while surrounded by his loving wife and family at Faxtoin-St. Luke's Healthcare, New Hartford. He was born in Talcottville on July 1, 1936, a son of Vincent A. and Myrtle E. (Hutchins) Bourgeois. As a child he moved with his family to the Bourgeois homestead farm on the Denley Road where he grew up. He attended a rural school and Port Leyden Central School. He was employed on his family's farm, and later at the former G.L.F. in Boonville in the feed department. In addition, he worked as manager of the Poland Agway, as a heavy equipment operator for the Town of Leyden, and then as a truck driver for the Rite Aid Distribution Center in Rome. From 1978 until his retirement in 1998, Mr. Bourgeois was employed as a long distance tractor-trailer driver for Special Metals of New Hartford. At the present time he and his nephew, Pete Levensailor, were partners in the operation of B&L Self Storage Units in Boonville. On July 9, 1956, Augustus was united in marriage with Charlotte White at St. Martin's Church, Port Leyden, where he was also a member. Gussy was a very talented, and largely self-taught musician. He was proficient in playing many stringed instruments, his specialties being the fiddle and bass guitar. For many years he played with his brother, Frank, in the East Road Rhythm Riders, a band that Gussy co-founded; The North Country Boys, where he played for many years at the Cat's Paw in Brantingham; and Fritz's Polka Band of Verona. Gussy and Charlotte were both great inspirations to their children in developing their musical talents. He and his sons Mophie and Kip enjoyed playing together at fund raisers, Sunset Nursing Home, and for family events. In addition to his music, he was an avid motorcyclist, for many years owning and riding Indian and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He also enjoyed snowmobiling. He had an avid interest in antique cars, having owned Model A's and T's. He and other area people formed their own "Model A Club," and for many years he enjoyed driving his cars with his fellow antique car friends. Gussy loved his wife, family, and spending time with his loved ones. In addition to his wife, Charlotte, he is survived by his children, Teresa Bourgeois and her fianc, Louis "Wig" Poore of Port Leyden, Gus "Mophie" Bourgeois and his wife, Annette, and Kip A. Bourgeois and his wife, Jennifer, all of Boonville; six grandchildren, Colby Post, Joshua Post, Cory Poore, and Daniel, Kristen and Alex Bourgeois; two great-grandchildren, Harley Post and Brice Eastman; a brother, Michael of Stokes; two sisters, Helen Levensailor of Port Leyden and Marie Szewczyk Kuritzky of Talcottville; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two grandchildren, Donald Post and Harley Mae Bourgeois; four brothers, Donald, William, Vincent and Frank; and by three sisters, Margaret Weber, Charlotte Sullivan, and most recently, Phyllis Stephens, on January 26, 2011. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Church, Lyons Falls, where Rev. Sean Patrick O'Brien, pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Boonville, will officiate. Spring interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Port Leyden. Calling hours are Sunday 1-4 & 6-9 p.m. at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., 143 Schuyler Street, Boonville. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd. Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852, or to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please use the "Sign Guestbook" link below to leave an online message of sympathy or to share a memory of Gussy.