Looi Bourgonje was born on February 17, 1933 in Carragana, Saskatchewan to Fred and Annie Bourgonje. On December 28th, 2022, Looi passed away peacefully, with family by his side, at the age of 89.

Looi grew up in Porcupine Plain, SK, one mile north of town on the family homestead. Along with his older brother Jack, he enjoyed playing hockey in his younger years and would maintain a love of sports throughout his life. In 1950, Looi left high school to begin working in the bush and trucking near Reserve Junction for The Pas Lumber Company. In 1955, he returned to Porcupine Plain and became lumber manager of the Deyholas Lumber, which would later become the Parkland Co-op. He continued to serve as lumber manager there until his retirement in 1996. Throughout this time, Looi also farmed with his father until 1972 and on his own until 1979. After that, he proceeded to rent the Bourgonje farm land right up until his death.

Looi met Lois Cragg in Porcupine Plain when Lois came from Arborfield, Saskatchewan to work at Dudar’s Store in 1960. They were married on May 3rd, 1961 and began their family in 1962 with the birth of twin boys, Fred and Tom, followed by Terry (Buck) in 1964 and Robin in 1973. Raising four rambunctious boys was no easy task, but together, they became passionate supporters of every team the boys played on and could always be depended on to drive to games, no matter the distance. Even years after the boys had left home, he and Lois faithfully cheered on their sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at the annual Boxing Day hockey tournament in Porcupine Plain.

Looi enjoyed being active, whether it be golfing with his dad, fishing with his sons, or curling with his friends throughout the winter. He and Lois enjoyed Cragg family gatherings in Arborfield, road trips to see cousins in Nova Scotia, and even meeting relatives on a trip to the Netherlands. Looi also took pride in being a citizen of Porcupine Plain and devoted much of his time volunteering in the community in various ways. Whether it be serving on the arena board, working the beer gardens on Sports Days for the Lions Club, or delivering meals on wheels, Looi embodied the values of public service. Looi was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to the Lions Club and was an active member of the school board from 1970-1997, for which he received a Lifetime Member Recognition. Faith in God was also a vital part of Looi’s life and he served as a church member and Pastor for many years. He and Lois always looked forward to meeting with church friends at camp each summer.

Looi and Lois enjoyed 54 wonderful years together, living on the original Bourgonje homestead. They proudly watched their family grow, welcoming 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren into the Bourgonje circle over the years. Attending graduations and weddings kept them busy and Grandpa Looi could often be seen in the audience, snapping photos with his camera. In the years after Lois’ passing, Looi continued to be close with his family. He even put on a pair of shorts and joined some of the Bourgonje crew in sunny Hawaii.

In his final years, Looi was blessed to have the companionship of Mary Horvath who was a source of light, love and friendship for him and the rest of the Bourgonje family.

Looi is pre-deceased by his wife, Lois, parents, Fred and Annie Bourgonje, brother Jack Bourgonje, mother and father-in-law, Tom and Marion Cragg, brothers-in law: Alfred Kapeller, Ken Schulties, and Glenn Cragg, sisters-in-law: Sheila Bourgonje, Mabel Cragg and Gwen Howell.

Left to cherish Looi’s memory are his sons: Fred (Rita) Bourgonje, Tom (Rhonda) Bourgonje, Terry (Linda) Bourgonje and Robin (Jodie) Bourgonje, along with 9 grandchildren: Brenon (Kayla) Bourgonje, Tyson (Carina) Bourgonje, Brittany (Ben) Cairns, Jordan (Alyssa) Bourgonje, Bryanne (Scott) Heisler, Jarrett Bourgonje, Chelsey (Brett) Redden, Richelle (Jared) Mogdan, Sydney Wouters and 14 great-grandchildren: Brady, Wes, Avery, Adalynn, Stevie, Aleksei, Bentley, Lilly, Riley, Arley, Rhys, Henry, Emerson and Lincoln. He is also survived by brothers and sisters-in law: Dennis and Dorothy Cragg, Terry and Doreen Cragg, Pat Cragg, Joan Kapeller, and Sharon Schulties, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Looi’s life will take place at the Porcupine Plain Community Hall on Friday, January 6th at 1pm. Memorial donations can be made to Porcupine Plain community initiatives and charities of your choice to help continue to serve the town that Looi loved so much. Arrangements are being made by Blair’s Funeral Home in Porcupine Plain.