Obituary of Calvin Lawrence Bourn Sr.

Granville, NY - Calvin L. Bourn, Sr. – 81 Well-known local arborist has passed after a long struggle with pneumonia/ COPD, a severe back injury, and a short bout with gastric cancer. Calvin liked to help people whenever he could and loved working in trees. He was also an avid animal lover, having had numerous pets throughout his life (several cats and dogs, plus even a cow and miniature pony for a time). True to his fashion, Calvin tried working right up until the point his body would no longer let him. He was extremely outgoing and never afraid to tell someone what he truly thought regardless of their position or stature. Calvin ran his own tree service for over 64 years. While working for the Washington County Highway Department out of the Middle Granville barn, he did tree work on nights and weekends and then went full time after retiring in 2000. He worked for the Highway Department plowing roads and operating heavy equipment for over 20 years. He also worked in maintenance at Washington County Social Services in Granville for 5 years prior to that. However, his true passion was always working in trees. He is survived by his sons – Calvin, Jr. (Joanne) [from a prior marriage] and Leon (Josephine); brothers – Herbert, Jr. (Sandra), James (Debbie), and William (Susan); sisters – Marie Belzer (Thomas) and Leone Barlow (Wesley); brother-in-law – David Johnson; sisters-in-law – Geraldine Rosalie and Shirley; cat – Miss Kitty; two grandsons, a great grandson and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife of 43 years – Dorothy (Johnson); parents – Herbert, Sr. and Irene (Pawling); brothers – George and Guy; sister – Rosetta DeKalb (Lee); sisters-in-law – Joyce Boyd (Norman), Eunice Varga (Edward), Jean Turner (William), Carol Johnson, and Karen; and his good friend Bertha Dennison. We would also like to offer a special thank you for the wonderful care that Calvin received from Dr. W. Marvin Day of the Granville Health Center and the nurses at High Peaks Hospice. In lieu of flowers Calvin requests that donations be made to your local animal shelters and trees be planted in his honor (his favorite were Oaks). Calling hours will be held at the Robert M. King Funeral Home, 23 Church Street in Granville on Friday, October 18th from 6-8pm and Saturday, October 19th from 12-2pm followed by a funeral service. After the funeral there will be a celebration of life held at the Middle Granville fire department.