Deacon Bourgeois loved prison ministry

Deacon Garland L. Bourgeois Jr., a former New Orleans police officer who served for more than 36 years as a permanent deacon, died Feb. 16. He was 75.

A native of New Orleans, Deacon Bourgeois was a longtime resident of Kenner and resided in Bayou Gauche, Louisiana, after Hurricane Katrina. Deacon Bourgeois was ordained by Archbishop Philip Hannan on Dec. 13, 1980. He served as a deacon at St. Jerome and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parishes in Kenner.

His most recent assignment was at St. Gertrude in Des Allemands and St. John the Baptist in Paradis.

Deacon Bourgeois devoted himself to prison ministry, serving at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center of St. Charles Parish in Edgard and later at Orleans Parish Prison, where he served as the coordinator of ministry.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara Nichol Bourgeois; three children, Rusty Bourgeois (Mandy), Denise Breaux (Trebor) and Mary Elizabeth Stubblefield (Brian); eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his two sons, Bryan Bourgeois and David Bourgeois; and his parents Garland L. Bourgeois Sr. and Audrey Hano Bourgeois.

His Funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 20 at St. John the Baptist Church in Paradis. Burial was at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Second Harvest Food Bank, 700 Edwards Ave., New Orleans, LA 70123.