Thomas "Tom" Bourdin

Thomas Francis Bourdin, age 90, of Pass Christian, passed away on January 19, 2022, at his home in Pass Christian.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Bourdin, Sr., and Alice Courtenay Bourdin; a brother, William “Billy” Bourdin, Jr and his wife, Inez Pavolini Bourdin; and a niece, Alice Bourdin Bertin.

He is survived by his nieces, Linda Bourdin Miller and Lisa Bourdin Henderson (Wesley); a nephew, William Bourdin III (Lynn); and numerous great-nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Tom was a lifelong resident of Pass Christian and he graduated from St. Joseph Academy in 1949.  He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 – 1955 during the Korean War.  After military service, Tom continued his education graduating with honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.  In 1966, he graduated from the School of Bank Public Relations and Marketing at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Upon returning home, Tom began playing the organ for special events at St. Paul Catholic Church and eventually became the full time organist for the church.  He later played at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, St. Thomas Catholic Church, and Riemann Funeral Homes.  He played for countless weddings, funerals, and other special events.  If there was an occasion that required music, he could be found playing the organ such as playing Christmas music in the bank lobby or Mardi Gras parties at the Pass Christian Yacht Club.  He worked at Hancock Bank, retiring after more than 25 years.  As the advertising officer, he led the bank’s advertising department and guided their advertising programs and activities.  After his retirement from Hancock Bank, he went to work for Dolphin Press and assisted them in expanding their local service.

In 1965, he formed a committee to begin the groundwork for a public library in Pass Christian and became the first president of Pass Christian Friends of the Public Library.  They obtained permission from the state, began fundraising, and in June 1973, the town’s first public library was built.  During the 1967-68 football season, he began filming the football games for Pass Christian High School.  He continued for many years, eventually receiving a service award for his dedication to the youth of Pass Christian.  In 1973, he was selected as Pass Christian Citizen of the Year.  In 2004, he received the Lumen Christi Light of Christ Award for exemplary service to the people of God and commitment to his parish family.

Tom enjoyed sailing and he sailed and crewed on the Fish Class sailboats at the Pass Christian Yacht Club.  He was very involved with the yacht club and in 2015 was awarded a lifetime membership.  He also enjoyed crossword puzzles, dancing, and he had a great love for cats.  He had many friends and he enjoyed spending time with all of them.

Visitation will be on Monday, January 24, 2022, from 12:30 pm – 2 pm at Holy Family Catholic Church, Pass Christian.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 pm in the church.  Interment will be in Live Oak Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers at Kare-in-Home Hospice for such wonderful and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (tunnel2towers.org) or the Humane Society of South MS (hssm.org)

The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Pass Christian, is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com