Daniel Kevin Mombourquette

Our lost lamb has found his way home.   With sadness we share that our brother, Daniel KEVIN Mombourquette passed into eternity on October 20, 2024, at the age of 68 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Born on September 27, 1956, in the New Brunswick town of Chatham, he was the dearly loved son of the late Joseph Mombourquette and Theresa (Clannon).  Kevin was one of six children and grew up in an active busy household in Oromocto. He was serious in nature, athletic, a hard worker and liked things done in his way.   In his early years he enjoyed the excitement of hockey, playing at the junior level, the thrill of a country ride on his motorcycle (much to the worry of our mother) and tinkering with motors.  He was social with an extended friend group and was a proud member of the production crew of Jesus Christ Superstar, the St. Mary’s Catholic Church touring musical.  He spent family summers surrounded by his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in the idyllic Cape Breton seaside community of L’Ardoise where he embraced the sounds of the ocean, the endless blue skies, and the music and joy filled family gatherings and kitchen parties.  After high school, he completed his welding training at the New Brunswick Community College in Saint John, NB, and spent 15 years working at the Dockyard in Halifax repairing and outfitting Canadian Navy ships.   In that time, he married Jean and together they raised two boys, Alex and Neil, and later had a girl, Emily Rose, but life became difficult for Kevin and guided by a storm of personal issues he eventually relocated himself to British Columbia in the hopes of starting a new life.  Unfortunately, his struggles followed him and eventually his ability to maintain family relationships disintegrated.  Kevin was lost to us for many, many years. 

At a pivotal point in his life Kevin landed in the embrace of two literal angels on earth, Kathy and Lane, and their loving family, who offered him shelter and a place to belong within their Cooperative Housing community.  Kevin thrived, finding purpose and meaning in the work they provided.  He soon became a friend, then a trusted, responsible employee doing maintenance on the hub of houses.  He was a steady fixture for other residents, developing close neighbourly connections, offering his maritime hospitality with a listening ear to those in need and mentoring the younger people who worked with him.  He was still particular though and expected his workshop to be kept neat and tidy!  Kevin grew spiritually, developing a full relationship with God through quiet devotion, readings, and attendance at masses.  He offered prayer and companionship for those in need and lived his faith through kindness, works of service, and generosity.

Through his passing, his surviving East Coast family has had the bittersweet joy of connecting with his West Coast found family and together we have pieced together some of the missing pieces of his life.  Kevin was smart, determined and a true gentleman, but he was also complicated and stubborn and compromised by his struggle with addictions.  Together, we are relieved that Kevin’s strong family, faith foundation and determination eventually brought him out of the dark period in his life as he conquered his struggles and enjoyed his final years, clean and healthy, and surrounded by friends who cared deeply for him.   

Kevin is survived by his wife Jean (Campbell), sons Alex (Meghan), Neil, and daughter Emily Rose of Halifax, grandchildren Lex and Frances, brothers Colin (Arlene), Peter, and David, sister Maureen Cook (Dale), sister-in-law Eileen (Shawn), nieces and nephews Steven, Nicole, Patrick, Mandy, William, Gabrielle, Spencer, and Hailey, great nieces and nephews Rachael, Joe, Alia, Caileen, Jessie, Betty, Fred, and his huge family of cousins.  Also left to mourn his loss are his extensive network of BC friends who became like family: Kathy and Lane, their children and grandchildren, his community of residents, and his loyal Pug, Alta.

Kevin is predeceased by his parents, Joe and Theresa, brother Michael and his wife Beverley (Edwards), grandparents Peter Clannon (Emiline Campbell) and Anthony Mombourquette (Clara Sampson), in-laws Dr. Alexander and Miriam “Bunny” Campbell, sister-in-law Miriam Stermscheg, niece Catherine, his many aunts and uncles, and his trusted Whippet, Pharoah.  

A memorial mass for Kevin will take place Friday, November 8, 1 pm at St. Pauls’ Catholic Church, 381 East Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC.   In honour of Kevin, in lieu of flowers or donations, please consider offering an expression of kindness to someone in need.