| Graduation Year | Class of 1943 |
| Date of Passing | Jan 10, 2013 |
| About | Lucien Lionel Bachand July 10, 1925 - January 10, 2013 Obituary Lucien L. Bachand, 87 of Bourne died peacefully on January 10th surrounded by his family and friends. Lou was born in Woonsocket, R.I. son of Lionel and Alice Bachand. He moved to Buzzards Bay when he was 4, graduating from Bourne High School in 1943. Lou served in the Navy at the end of WWII as a Seaman 1st Class. Upon returning stateside he graduated from Boston University then set out to teach and mentor young people. Being a fine athlete in high school and college he gravitated towards physical education and coaching. He taught and coached for 3 years at Case High School in Swansea, MA and when a job offer at Bourne High School opened up he jumped at the chance to teach at his old school. He taught and coached at virtually every school in Bourne from 1957 to 1986 and also taught gymnastics for several years at a local private dance and gymnastics school. Lou's faculty positions included Physical Education Director and Athletic Director. During his early years at Bourne High School Lou took every opportunity to coach sometimes coaching 4 sports in 1 school year without the support that coaches are afforded today.. Many of his teams were successful, including several basketball teams that went to the Principals State Tournament. But winning was a by product of his guidance of student athletes to become better people. First and foremost Lou was a mentor and teacher, building relationships with his students that transcended sports and winning; many considered him as a second father. He enabled many kids to leave high school knowing they were valuable human beings, and he encouraged them to strive to achieve whatever they wanted to be in life. Lou enjoyed travel and would jump in the car a drop of a hat to take excursions to Florida, Virginia, Maine and especially Canada where he and his sister Lorraine discovered their French Canadian heritage. Lou was an avid kayaker, canoeist and shell-fisherman, knowing the waters of Buzzards Bay like the back of his hand. He continued his adventures until just a few years ago when " father time" slowed him down a little, although he continued to visit his shoreline haunts by car to check out fish activity and scenic sunrises and sunsets. Lou was a frustrated fisherman and enjoyed the pursuit more than the catch; being in the great outdoors was his reward. Watching a beautiful sunset was just as rewarding for Lou as catching a fish. And helping and seeing a novice fisherman catch a fish whether a friend, son or daughter was more important to him then what he had on the end of his own line. This was Lou always quick to lend a helping hand, be they friends or strangers alike, and especially fond in his memories were all the folks at the Cape Cod Apartments in Falmouth, MA Lou was pre-deceased by his sister Lorraine Bachand Lundegren of Yarmouth and his 1st wife Dorothy Ahlers Bachand. Lou Bachand will be always be remembered as a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend and will be greatly missed. Even at the end his spirited sense of humor shone through. A Celebration of His Life was held at the Canal Club, 100 Trowbridge Road, Bourne on Friday February 1st at 7:00 PM in honoring and remembering Lou. |
