WEST BATH

Hearts were heavy as local community members learned of the passing of David “Beav” Bourget, who died last Saturday.

Bourget was well-known in the community, not only for his work as a West Bath selectman and Phippsburg Fire and Rescue volunteer, but for his likable personality and integrity.

“David will be remembered by his loved ones and the community members,” said West Bath Town Administrator Adam Garland in an email on Tuesday. “The loss of David will be felt by all as he has positively touched the lives of all of those around him.”

Before becoming a West Bath selectman in June 2003, Bourget served on the West Bath Finance Committee from 1996 to 2003. He was currently serving his third term on the selectboard.

“He really cared deeply for his community,” said Paula Nelson, chairwoman of the West Bath board of selectmen. “He was such a great guy — just a caring individual.”

Nelson served on the board with Bourget for seven years, though they met back in 2000.

“He was just an amazing, amazing individual,” she said. “I am so glad to have had the opportunity to learn from him. (He) was definitely a wealth of information.”

Nelson said they would not be filling his position, as Bourget’s term expires in November.

“I honestly don’t know what my third term is going to be like without him,” she said.

She recalled a moment last year when Bourget assumed the role of moderator during Town Meeting when the normal moderator and a replacement had backed out on short notice.

“He would step up to anything,” she said. “He was always offering to help.”

And though they had their differences, Nelson said those disagreements never lasted beyond a meeting.

“First and foremost, he was my friend,” she said. “Sometimes we didn’t agree with a policy or something, but no matter the tension, as soon as the meeting adjourned, we were friends.”

In addition to his role as selectman, Bourget was a familiar face in the Phippsburg community as he served on the Phippsburg Fire and Rescue team for almost 42 years, according to James Totman, Phippsburg fire chief.

At one point, Bourget also served as an EMT and assistant fire chief, a position he stepped down from when he was elected selectman.

“He made an impression on everyone. He was a very likable person. He had a big heart, and he was always there for anybody,” said Totman. “We all enjoyed him and he was a tremendous help. He gave to a lot of people, and they all really look up to him.”

Lawrence Renaud, Bath fire chief, was also a close friend of Bourget and his family, having met as acquaintances when Renaud was the West Bath fire chief.

“He was a continuous kidder in a fun way,” he said. “He had so many friends and so many liked him. He had an easy personality. He was sincere and helped people. He was always there if you needed something.”

He said Bourget also helped him build a camper in the upper woods, where both families stay on Memorial Day. They did not visit the site this year.

Renaud added that he and his wife were called to be with the Bourget family at the time of his death.

“He was just a person, but he never seemed to be having a bad day. He was a very approachable, loving individual,” he said.

Even after Renaud continued his career in Bath, he said he and Bourget would talk daily — they were like “distant brothers.”

“We’re definitely going to miss him,” Renaud concluded. “He really made an impact and his legacy will live on.”

The West Bath Town Office will be closed today in observation of Bourget’s passing. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Phippsburg Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 83, Phippsburg, ME 04562 or to the Morse High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1030, Bath, ME 04530.