Nathan Bowden Bourque

March 14, 1974 - November 05, 2025

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Obituary for Nathan Bowden Bourque

Nathan Bourque, age 51, has lost a long and courageous battle with spinal cord injury. A former resident of Milton, Nathan was born in Boston. His undergraduate degree was from University of Massachusetts Amherst, and his graduate degree was from Gordon College in Wenham, MA.

Nathan broke his neck on graduation day in Amherst 29 years ago. His rehabilitation was at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, the leading hospital for spinal cord injury rehab at the time. He had a zest for life and went on to become a role model, earning a Masters Degree in Education and teaching as an Adjunct Professor in the Math Department at Quincy College. He was Assistant Soccer Coach for UMass Boston as well as Hingham High School. Soccer was always his passion. He was a very gifted instructor, conveying math concepts without ever being able to stand at a blackboard. He also used this gifted technique for private tutoring. He was also very proud of the certificates that he had earned in Broadcast Journalism, Soccer Coaching and Private Investing.

Nathan was dealt a difficult hand. He was a semi-professional player at the time of his accident, having planned a career as a professional soccer player. He reinvented himself after that accident with a career teaching advanced mathematics. That career was cut short six years ago when a brain injury from the original accident resurfaced, forcing him into a short-lived retirement. Once again, he was faced with reinventing himself. With so many doors closed to him, it was not easy, but he transitioned to a new career as a professional artist, painting abstract works in acrylic. Nathan exhibited his paintings widely, often winning competitions against able-bodied artists for various New England exhibitions. He has one last exhibition coming up at Milton Library in the Spring.

Nathan was the son of Michael H. Bourque of Boston and the late Susan E. Bowden. He was the brother of David Bourque and wife Beth of Plymouth, and Uncle of David and Samuel Bourque, as well as an extended family. His nephews were a great part of his life. Nathan was the son of the late Susan Bowden of Weymouth.

A Memorial Service will be held, Friday, November 21st, 2025, at the Paulist Center, 5 Park Street, Boston at 10 o’clock.

Donations should be made in lieu of flowers to SCI Boston (Spinal Cord Injury Association). https://sciboston.salsalabs.org/donationpage/index.html

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21 Nov

Memorial Service

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Paulist Center 5 Park Street Boston, MA Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Tributes

  • 5 TREES

    Rose Gates planted 5 trees in memory of Nathan Bowden Bourque . - November 20, 2025

  • 5 TREES

    Derrick Te Paske planted 5 trees in memory of Nathan Bowden Bourque . - November 17, 2025

Condolences

  • March 27, 2026

    jash

    Dear Nathan, looks like things were tough but you made the best of it while having a positive impact on those around you. God Bless. Rest in Peace. -jash

  • November 17, 2025

    DERRICK TE PASKE

    I was happy to have exhibited artwork with Nathan on two occasions, and fortunate to have known a young man of such bravery and resourcefulness.

  • November 14, 2025

    Phil Giordano

    Rest in peace, Nathan. Our thoughts and prayers are with your friends and family.

  • November 11, 2025

    Christopher Campbell

    Nathan, I am blessed to have known you. You were always positive, even when things were tough for you. God Bless!

  • November 10, 2025

    Amy Baranowski/Warburton

    My condolences to your family, I always enjoyed following his creative art masterpieces and the naming of these pieces. I also liked playing wordle on Facebook, although he won most of the time and he had a great sense of humor. May he rest in peace, you are all in my thoughts. Amy

  • November 09, 2025

    Walter King

    Nate-May you rest in peace and run in heaven. Jeanne and Walter King

  • November 09, 2025

    Cindy Morrison

    I met Nathan shortly after he came home to Milton after his rehab. I was part of a VNA team who visited Nathan at his home. Nathan was a wonderful young man and he inspired me to give my own son private goalie lessons to improve his skills. Nathan loved soccer and shared that love by encouraging others to improve their own skills. My son went on to play goalie in college and for fun in adult leagues after college. My thoughts and prayers are with David and his family and Nathan's dad. I feel blessed to have known Nathan.

  • November 08, 2025

    Brad

    Nathan, Volunteering with you was one of the highlights of my undergraduate experience, and our long and insightful chats furthered my goal of becoming of a physician. I will never forgot those summer afternoons painting with you and the wisdom your imparted on me. Rest easy, my friend. Brad

  • November 08, 2025

    Carlos

    Nathan was my patient at new Bridge on the charls I was hes regular CNA as soon we met we became friends we share a lots of things special music from the 80" and 90" i learn a l8t from him special how to taken care of him it was not easy some times but we managed to do it the best time we have was hes 59" birthday we got shot of tequila and a dirty spicy martini he was so happy he reach 50 years i 6sed to tell him now you are an old far ! I went for a vacation for 2 weeks outside of USA and went i came back he was sending to the hospital after that the nightmare started he never back to new Bridge is missed him a lot but I was able to see him in other place or hospital he were taken care ,2 weeks ago I went to see him at the hospital one last time I new hes time was coming we play some music and I pray for him to be pain free and to go peacefully now hes in heaven probably playing soccer and listening 80" 90" music .

  • November 08, 2025

    Kate

    What an amazing friend you were Nathan. Your strength was admirable. I love you buddy. Rest in the sweetest of peace 🕊️