George J. Bourque.

FITCHBURG - George J. Bourque, former mayor of Fitchburg and state representative, died at 98 at Leominster Hospital on May 2, with family at his side.

Mr. Bourque was the fourth son of 13 children born to Madeline Fagan and Philias Bourque on Jan. 19, 1913, in Joggins Mine, Nova Scotia. His family settled in Fitchburg when he was an infant and he remained a lifelong resident of the city.

Mr. Bourque served the residents of Fitchburg over a period of 34 years starting as a member of the Park Commission, City Council, mayor (four terms) and state representative (11 terms).

In addition to his wife of 73 years, Emelia LeBlanc Bourque he is survived by four children, Elizabeth Bourque-Theiler and her husband, Willie, of Holliston, George J. Bourque II and Diane Sullivan of North Andover, William R. Bourque and his wife, Linda, of Fitchburg, and Robert L. Bourque and his wife, Mary, of Townsend. His daughter, Barbara...