Former Standout Linebacker, Fidelity Vice President Loses Battle With Cancer

The following obituary and photo are courtesy of Cataudella Funeral Home.

Richard (Rich) J. Bourdelais, Jr., 45, died at his parent’s home in Andover, MA with his family by his side on August 9, 2014. Rich was diagnosed with sarcoma cancer in January.

Born in Lawrence, and raised and educated in Andover, MA, he was the son of Richard (Dick) and Marilyn (Bonnie) Bourdelais. He was a graduate of Andover High School in 1987 and the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY in 1991 where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. Rich lived in Chelmsford, MA for the past 16 years. While at Andover High School, Rich participated in football and track. He was captain of the football team and was selected as an All-Conference linebacker.

Rich was Vice President of Data Base Administration at Fidelity Investments where he has been employed for the past 18 years. He enjoyed time spent with his children and family at the camp on Little Island Pond, and the annual family vacation at Mousam Lake in Maine. Rich loved hunting and fishing with his dad and his cousin, Lee St. Louis. His greatest joy was being with his children and watching them participate in their many activities. Rich was an outdoor and sports enthusiast and an avid N.E. Patriots fan. He also looked forward to socializing with his many friends and co-workers.

Besides his parents, he is survived by sons, Richard (RJ) and Sean, and daughter, Sara Bourdelais of Chelmsford; a sister, Karen Damphousse of Lawrence; grandmother, Ruth Bourdelais of Andover, aunts, Linda O’Leary and her husband, Basil, Phyllis Moore of Virginia Beach, VA; uncles, Stephen Moore of Newport, RI, Glen Moore and his wife, Bert of Seattle, WA; nieces, Rebecca Plant, Carolyn and Melissa Damphousse; great-niece, Emma Plant; former wife Daphna Bourdelais; and many cousins. He was predeceased by his sister Laurie Bourdelais and cousin Lisa St. Louis.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Thursday, August 14, 2014 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at Cataudella Funeral Home 126 Pleasant Valley St. Methuen. Funeral services will be Friday, August 15, 2014 at 10:00 AM in the funeral home chapel. Private burial will be in Spring Grove Cemetery, Andover. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice, Attn: Development Office, 360 Merrimack Street, Lawrence, MA 01843 or the Mass General Development Office, Attn: Jenn Ryan, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1310, Boston, MA 02114. For directions and online condolences please visit www.cataudellafh.com.