Gordon Bourne
1955(?) - 1991

 

Faire(s):
  • King Richard's Faire (WI)

Groups/Characters:

  • Elf & Wizard Show

Years:     ??

Gordon Bourne II
    Actor, designer, businessman and AIDS activist Gordon Bourne II, 35, gently passed away Jan 16 at his home in Denver, Colo., three years and six months after being diagnosed with AIDS.  Memorial services were held in Denver on Jan. 21 at 2 p.m.  An additional memorial and celebration of his life will be held at Ann Sathers, Belmont Ave. in Chicago on Sunday, Jan 27.

    As a young person, Gordon traveled extensively with his military family.  After studying theater at Northwestern University in the mid-1970's, he chose Chicago as his permanent home.  He is best remembered for his years of work with the King Richard's Faire in Chicago and Boston.  He served as a mask-maker and prop designer for several Chicago Off-Loop theaters, including the Organic, City Lit and Magic Circle.  He also created several street characters at King Richard's Faire, including a very humorous Wizard and Elven warrior.

    Gordon's design credits included prop canes that looked like hypodermic needles from "Unfinished Business" at the Bailiwick Theatre Co. benefiting the Chicago Aids Project:  costumes for a futuristic Road Warrior production of "Macbeth," props for the Jeff cited "Diggory's Rag" for City Lit Theatre Co,; masks and various props for "Really Tall Tales," a stilt show produced at King Richard's Faire.

    His latest business venture was the design, production and marketing of flower garlands for craft shows.  His company was called Green Man Garlands.  As a builder and craftsman Gordon renovated several buildings, re-furbished antiques, created custom cabinets and bookcases with his close friend Wolf and optimistically tinkered with his lime green 1973 VW Bug.  This last project gave him endless pleasure and made us all laugh a lot!  He devoted the past year of his life to AIDS activism in Denver.  He was a panelist at the 3rd Annual Medicine and Miracles Conference in Boulder, May of 1990.  He spoke to students at the Aurora Public Schools in Denver, and participated in ACT-UP.

    In addition to his work, Gordon had hundreds of friends.  His struggle was long and difficult.  His life was extraordinarily rich.  His spirit never wavered.  Gordon was and Everyman whose lust for living inspired us all.  He will be greatly misses but will always be alive in our hearts.  Good-bye Gordy, we love you!

    He is survived by his loving parents, Thelma and Gordon Sr., and his very special sister, Jenny.  Donations are requested for the aids Project, Denver General Hospital or Direct Aid Chicago.

Taken from Windy City Times, Thursday, January 31, 1991 
courtesy Diane Hayes (nee Rugger)

 

 

Please send any information, pictures, etc... to BDB@bristolboard.com