Les Robert Bordé

Les Robert Bordé passed away on July 12th at his home in Southbury, Connecticut. He is survived by his daughter, Andrea Bordé-Dalwadi and his son-in-law, Chintan Dalwadi of Reston, Virginia, and his life partner in love, Joan C. Barnish of Southbury, Connecticut.

Les was born in Redwood City, California on August 31, 1956 to Mary Price Bordé and René Bordé and later grew up in Sunnyvale, California. He loved Northern California and spent his younger days hiking the Sierra Nevadas, attending French picnics with his family in San Francisco, and staying at his mother's old home in Lake Tahoe in the summers fly fishing.

As an adult, he started his 35 year career at IBM in Cupertino, California, and later relocated to Connecticut with the company. For all who worked with him, he had a tenacious work ethic, and a kind leadership style. He would always put his team before himself. His blood ran IBM blue.

Les attacked life like a sun beam on a cloudy day. If you met him, you were instantly his friend for life. He was an adventurer at heart, and had an engineer’s mind, always trying to figure out every technological gadget he could get his hands on. He was truly one of the most unique people you could ever meet.

His daughter Andrea was the light of his life, and they never lost the best-friend-like bond they created when she was a little girl. They spent their time visiting each other in laughter, adventure, and with him always telling fascinating stories from his childhood.

Les and Joan met in 2002 and built a life together. They shared the love of their blended family, camping throughout New England in their Airstream and picnics on the river with their dog, Bo. Les enjoyed biking the back roads and fishing the Housatonic River. Les and Joan’s love story is one of East Coast meets West Coast which made for an interesting life. In addition, to being a supportive parent to Joan’s children, Les was especially close to all of Joan’s family in New Jersey.

Les is survived by Joan’s children, Joseph William, his wife Carrie and son, Devan of Indianapolis, Indiana, Alexandra Melillo of Stamford, Connecticut and Olivia Brush and her husband Garrett, of Waterbury, Connecticut. In addition, he leaves behind many cousins and friends in Northern California.

Service will be held at the South Britain Congregational Church, 693 South Britain Road, Southbury, Connecticut on Thursday, July 18 at 11 a.m.. The family will receive visitors after the service in the gathering hall. The family asks that everyone dress in casual summer attire in honor of Les for his love of Hawaiian shirts, shorts and crocs and his disdain for formal wear.

Les will be interred beside his parents and best friend, brother Rick Bordé at a later date in the Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto, California.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Sierra Nevada Alliance at www.sierranevadaalliance.org or PO Box 7989 South Lake Tahoe, California 96158.

The Carpino Funeral Home of Southbury has been entrusted with the arrangements. To leave a message of remembrance, please visit www.CarpinoCares.com.

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