Francis Bourqui, director of International Market Development for the Canadian Association of Equipment & Services for Export (CAMSESE), has died in an automobile accident near his home in Stouffville, Ont. He had recently returned from a work-related trip to Lima, Peru. He was 61.
Bourqui grew up on a farm in Fribourg, Switzerland, as one of 13 children.
After an apprenticeship program in business, he emigrated to Canada and settled in Montreal in the early 1960s. Following some odd jobs in forestry and mining, he found a home in Vancouver.
On the west coast, Bourqui was hired by Jon Baird, who was in charge of a geophysical contracting business that later became part of Scintrex. Baird is now the managing director of CAMESE.
In 1972, Baird, as head of marketing and sales of geophysical equipment for Scintrex, needed a salesman to work in international markets. Bourqui was fluent in German, French and English (and later, Spanish), and was a good fit. Bourqui and Baird helped build markets for Scintrex by visiting 85 countries over the next 20 years.
Two years after Baird joined CAMESE in 1993, Bourqui followed. In his 8.5 years with the association, Bourqui managed the Canadian groups at 80 mining exhibitions in 20 countries.
On June 23, the Bourqui family will host a celebration of the life of Francis Bourqui. A tent will be set up on Bourqui’s property on the southeastern corner of Kennedy Road and St. John Side Road in Stouffville. Those who knew him are invited to drop by and meet his family.
CAMESE is asking friends and admirers to send messages or photos, which will be used to form a keepsake for the Bourquis. These should be sent to Linda Collins by e-mail at collins@camese.org or by fax at (905) 513-1834.
Bourqui is survived by his wife, Mercedes, and three children, Lydia-Maria, Francis Christopher and Jean-Franois.
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BURSARY FUND
A bursary fund is being established to help fund the post-secondary education expenses of the three children of the late Francis Bourqui, the former director of International Market Development for the Canadian Association of Equipment & Services for Export (CAMSESE). Bourqui died suddenly in early May.
Bourqui’s daughter, Lydia-Maria, is about to be called to the bar as a lawyer; the eldest son, Francis Christopher, will enter his final year in the biology program at the University of Toronto; and Jean-Franois will return for his third year in the business program at the University of Ottawa.
A committee appointed by the CAMESE board of directors would administer the fund.
Cheques should be made payable to CAMESE In Trust and sent to CAMESE, 101-345 Renfrew Dr., Markham, Ont. L3R 9S9.
For more information, contact Linda Collins at (905) 513-0046. E-mail: collins@camese.org
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