Frederick “Johnny” Bourliea Jr.

June 19th, 1956 - January 22nd, 2022

Memorial

Mementos

BOURLIEA, Frederick John Jr., "Johnny", age 65, passed away January 22, 2022 peacefully at home after a courageous battle with glioblastoma multiforme (brain cancer). He was a graduate of Chalmette High School in 1974, and in 1975 became a member of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Ironworkers. He was a 4 th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a saxophonist in the Northlake Community Band, a lifetime member of the Harley Owners Group, a retired journeyman from the Ironworkers Local Union no. 58, and an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Johnny was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Many of his neighbors, friends, and organizations he or his children were active in benefitted from his technical mind and ability to build, construct, or repair. From creating and building the swim blocks at Lakeside Swim Club, the outdoor grill at Our Lady of Lourdes, to the endless repair of motors, home appliances, or musical instruments, his gifted ability to fix anything for those he loved was obvious. In his lifelong career as a structural ironworker, he helped safely build or retrofit several buildings in the New Orleans area, such as Ben Franklin High School, the Superdome, Louis Armstrong International Airport, Touro, Ochsner, and Charity Hospitals, as well as several hotels. His attention to detail and safety always surpassed the required code; in 1999 he was awarded the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Partner in Safety Award. He was a family man and cherished his high school sweetheart and wife of 46 years, Brenda Michel Bourliea, their three daughters: Brina Bourliea Faciane (Jason), Dina Bourliea Hunt (Joshua Sr.), & Regina Bourliea Stephens (Clayton), and five grandchildren: Olivia, Joshua Jr. "Aaron", Emmitt, Cal, and Leo. Anyone within earshot of Johnny knew how proud his children and grandchildren made him. Pop, as his grandchildren called him, loved riding his motorcycle, driving his 1976 Corvette, fishing, hunting, frogging, boating, and spending time at his father's camp in the Honey Island Swamp. His grandchildren adored him, and they were always at Pop's side while he was doing the things he and they loved. The most popular activity was going to The Camp, and the adventure often started with a visit to the donut store where Pop knew everyone. A man as special as Johnny would not have been possible without the love and guidance of his parents Frederick Sr. and Joyce Presetenback Bourliea, two sisters Deborah Bourliea Peters (Roger), and Ramona Bourliea Belser (Dan), and brother Wayne Bourliea (Ann). He was loved like a son and brother by his wife's family Robert (Bob) Sr. and Jacqueline (Jackie) Michel, Glenda Lee (David), Rhonda Graffeo (Joe), Sandra Doughtie (David), Bobby Jr. Michel (Chanquell), and Wanda Touchette (Danny). Uncle Johnny or "Uncle J", as he was called by his many nieces and nephews, was always ready to offer advice, a silly story and give them a warm hug. A celebration of life is planned for this summer. The family would like to express sincere gratitude for all the generous help and support they have received from family and friends. If desired, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in support of Neurosciences Research for the Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 4384, Houston, TX 77210-4384. A GatheringUs memorial has been created to celebrate the life of Frederick "Johnny" Bourliea where we can all share and celebrate his life. https://www.gatheringus.com/memorial/frederick-johnny-bourliea/8595

Events

PAST EVENT

Mass for Johnny

Feb 2nd, 2022

9:30 AM - 3:00 PM

(GMT-5:00) Central Time (US and Canada)

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Westchester Place, Slidell, LA, USA

400 Westchester Pl, Slidell, LA 70458, USA

Tributes

Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Frederick’s life with a heartfelt message.

Jim Pellegrin

I worked with Johnny for over 35 years and I don't believe that I have ever met a more helpful, caring, honest and loyal human being. Johnny has been as much a teacher as a friend. I knew I could go to him with any question and he could be a help. RIP Johnny, I will miss you.

Published January 31st, 2022

Jessica Danby

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Published January 26th, 2022

Glenn Roper

I met this guy everyone called "Freddie" when we played alto sax together in the CHS Band in the early 70's. Back then we were each just band members more like acquaintances. In 2009 at one of the CHS-AJ class of '74 reunions we were chatting and he asked if I still played my saxophone. I told him no, but I did want to get back into playing. He then said "when you get your 'chops back' give me a call and come play music with me and my daughters!" Well I did just that, the summer of 2014, after I retired, I called and he convinced me to join him playing with the Northlake Community Band, which meets for rehearsals in Hammond on the campus of SeLU. Every Tuesday we would take turns driving, and ride together from Slidell to Hammond. On one of those first rides together, I asked him why everyone was calling him Johnny, that I always knew him as Freddy. He simply said, "well that's my name" and then went on to tell me one of his many stories about him and his Dad having the same name. At some point I had to stop him and just asked, "So, I should call you Johnny?" We made that weekly trip to Hammond for the Fall and Spring sessions of Northlake Community Band, for almost 5 years until the "COVID Pause." Spending 2+ hours riding in a car every week you learn a lot about a person. And with Johnny sometimes too much! His life was an open book and he shared much of that book with me. One night on that ride, I had to stop him and offer an observation. I said "Johnny you sure do talk a lot!" his response was simple and honest, "Yea, people tell me that I talk a lot. Sometimes Brenda just tells me to shut up. But I don't! And you know Glenn, you don't do so bad yourself. I mean you talk alot too, almost as much as me!" I couldn't argue with him on that point. By inviting me to play music with him, not only with the Community Band, but in a Saxophone Quartet with him and daughters; Brina and Regina, for his Dads American Legion Christmas dinner, or for my first ever paid gig at a department store during the Christmas season shopping rush. Not only did he inspire me to play music, but to be his friend, and we did become very close friends. And like Johnny, I have lots of great stories to tell. Especially stories about Johnny, and his kindness and generosity and devotion to his family. This goofy Freddie-guy I met in high school, because of his demeanor and character as a mature adult, came back into my life, my inner circle as Johnny, is someone I did love and will miss.

Published January 25th, 2022