August 22, 1953 — May 3, 2023

It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Wayne Anthony Bourgeois on May 3, 2023, of Scotch Creek, BC, at the age of 69.

Born on August 22, 1953, in Winnipeg to Martha and Herve Bourgeois, he grew up in the Fort Garry area with his two brothers Raymond and Donald.

From very young he showed a love and passion for art, as a child he was happiest with a sketch pad and pen in his hand. Publishing his first works at 16, he became an accomplished and creative artist producing incredible life size leather sculptures and later visionary paintings. Wayne and his extraordinary works were featured in the media and sold in multiple galleries and shops across Canada.

He moved to the country with his lifelong partner Michele to continue his artwork in a peaceful woodland setting. He was very proud of the studio he built in Stephenfield, MB, starting by demolishing and salvaging a large potato shed and redesigning a two- story building with windows of the treetops.

He reluctantly became a farmer, starting a small berry farmstead called Blue Apple Farms but learned to love and appreciate gardening which became a lifelong hobby. He was very good at production and supervising people and did incredibly well managing and selling his produce to all the top restaurants in Winnipeg.

Wayne was a voracious reader and had an incredible memory, his knowledge of history, archeology, geography and music was nothing short of astonishing. He always proclaimed that one simply could not live in a town with no local library. Many years of collecting books resulted in his own substantial library.

He had a caring and giving spirit, showing compassion to street people or individuals less fortunate than himself.

Wayne had a wonderful witty sense of humour, seeing the lighter side of life situations.

Since moving to BC, he enjoyed riding his electric bike, driving down back country forest trails appreciating nature, illustrating his own graphic novel and taking pleasure in the company of his cats who miss him dearly as will all who knew and loved him.

Condolences may be passed along to the family at Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services.

• Date : 2023-05-03
• Location : Scotch Creek