Dennis M. Bourque, 68

LACONIA — It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dennis Michael Bourque, 68, on Sept. 30, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones after a long fought and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Dennis was born on April 21, 1958, in Manchester, the son of Fernand and Rachel Bourque.

He attended Bishop Guertin in Nashua, and the University of New Hampshire in Durham, graduating with a bachelor’s in business. Dennis dedicated his career working 45 years in finance at BAE Systems, formerly known as Sanders, retiring in 2024.

Dennis grew up spending every August summering at a camp in Saunders Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee with family. That camp is also where he got engaged to his loving wife, Cheryl. He loved boating on Lake Winnipesaukee which is where he lived for the last nine years. He enjoyed convertible rides in his Corvette, camping, and spending his time outdoors. He grew up playing sports — baseball and basketball — and he passed that love on to his son, Shayne. Dennis was a loyal New England sports and NASCAR fan. Most of all he truly loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandson Cannon.

Dennis was such a loving, caring, and devoted husband, father, father-in-law, pepere, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle, and friend.

He leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Cheryl (Chadwick); daughter Naomi of Kennebunk, Maine; son Shayne, his wife Lily Caroline, and his grandson Cannon, also of Laconia; two loved and spoiled cats, Wolfeboro "Wolfe" and Meredith "Merry"; three sisters, Donna Mohan and her husband Tom of Pocasset, Massachusetts, Diane Clark and her husband Steve of Peterborough, and Linda Bourque of Gilford; brother-in-law George Chadwick and his wife Robyn of Derry; sister-in-law Bonnie Adolt and her husband Sam of Windham; brother-in-law Tony Forgetta of Methuen, Massachusetts; his aunt Lorene Bourque of Virginia; along with many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fernand and Rachel (Lasalle), in-laws George and Shirley Chadwick (Scheipers), and sister-in-law Sharon Forgetta (Chadwick).

Dennis was loved and will be missed by so many — his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He was always the first to offer a helping hand, never expecting anything in return. He was just happy to be there for anyone who needed him.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all who have offered their love, support and prayers. To all who cared for him, his incredible oncology team of providers at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, without whom he wouldn’t have been able to fight for the 2.5 years he did. Also, for the support of the staff on Connors 7S at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Granite VNA, Laconia; and The Hope Lodge, Boston, Massachusetts.

In honor of Dennis, please lend a helping hand to someone in need and spend time with the people you love just as he always did.

To honor Dennis’s wishes there will be no services. He would say, “I just want people to hang out and have a big party.”

A celebration of life will be held early next summer as this is Dennis’s favorite time of year — “the start of boating season.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to assist in supporting Dennis’ final wishes. A large portion of this will go to Dana Farber Cancer Center Gastrointestinal Oncology, to support further research and to help other cancer patients fight their battles just as Dennis did so bravely for so long. Donations can be sent via Venmo to @[cheryl_bourque] (managed by his wife, Cheryl). If needed last four digits of cellphone are 1096.

In memory of Dennis — forever loved, forever remembered. "We know he is up there in Heaven on his boat on Lake Winnipesaukee having a beer, watching over everyone he loves."

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation, 164 Pleasant St., is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.