Leo E. Bourdon, Sr. Fund

This fund was established by the Rotary Club of Wakefield in 1978 to honor the outstanding contributions of Mr. Leo Bourdon, Sr., and his dedication to the principles and practices of Rotarians. He joined the club in 1923, the first year it was established, and attended every weekly meeting for 55 years! He was the recipient of many awards and in 1970 earned the Paul Harris Educational Fellowship from the Rotary Foundation.

An aerial photographer in the Army Air Corps, he attained the rank of sergeant. He was an active officer of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery, Co. of Boston, retiring as its Commissary Officer in 1976, after holding this post for 32 years. In addition, he was a major in the Fusilier Veterans Corps of Boston. He established Bourdon Studios and Camera Shop in Wakefield in 1912 and in 1926 he bought and remodeled a new studio located at the corner of Albion and Main Streets.

The business was later managed by his son, Leo Jr., and subsequently by his grandson Tom Bourdon. Like his father, Leo Jr, who was known as Bud, was a long-standing member of Wakefield Rotary, served as president, and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Corps and the Fusiliers Veterans Corps. He passed away in February 2010 at the age of 83.

The Bourdon Studio served customers for 90 years. Leo Bourdon, Sr. passed away in 1980 and this fund continues to honor his many contributions as a Rotarian as well as to the town of Wakefield.