Jude Fournier

The family of Jude Fournier (born Dennis Gerald Fournier) is saddened to share his sudden death on September 30, 2021. Jude was an exemplary person with an extraordinary heart for humanitarian service.

Jude was born the fifth of seven children on January 25, 1957 to Alvina (Brown) and George Fournier in Bay City Michigan. Jude spent his entire life in faith-based ministry. He was a member of the Franciscan Friars of St. Bonaventure Provence from 1978 through 1987. During his years as a Franciscan Friar, Dennis assumed the name Jude Mary, and that name has endured. Jude has spent his entire life in some branch of faith formation and humanitarian service. Jude has worked as a teacher, Parish minister, Hospice chaplain, director of faith formation, retreat master, artist and social justice organizer.

In 1998 Jude spent the summer in Nicaragua with "Witness for Peace" during their civil war. He went back to Nicaragua to help with relief efforts and rebuilding. In 2005, after the Indian Ocean tsunami, he spent a month in Sri Lanka assisting with relief efforts. Jude has traveled twice to Haiti and various countries in Africa. In the subsequent years he has visited Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa and has worked extensively with AIDS orphanages. He was instrumental in the formation of the international not-for-profit, Malawi Matters. He traveled to Nepal to help with rebuilding after the earthquake of 2015. Jude also sponsors many children through "Unbound."

After his retirement from John XXIII Catholic Community, Jude has served as bereavement minister, spiritual director, and hospice chaplain.

Jude touched the lives of many and built enduring friendships through his lifetime commitment to helping others near and around the world.

Jude is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Daniel. He is survived by his soulmate, Sydney Gunthorpe, his five siblings, Carol, Don, Kay, Mary Jo, Theresa, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

May the Angels lead Jude into paradise.

Jude's life is being celebrated at a Funeral Mass Wednesday, October 6, 2021, 10:00 am. at St. John XXIII Catholic Community, 4831 Tramway Ridge Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111

A Memorial Service will be celebrated with his Michigan hometown family and friends later in the fall.

Jude's favorite charities are:  Unbound, https://www.unbound.org and Malawi Matters, http:// malawimatters.org