Obituary - Daniel Andrew Boucher

Daniel Andrew Boucher, age 67, passed away peacefully April 30, 2024, due to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, with family by his side at home in Tucson, Arizona. Having a rare neurological disorder was cause for the move in 2023 from Montana, seeking more available resources to help with Dan's care.

Daniel was born February 5, 1957, to Myron and Evelyn (Cook) Boucher in Belleville, Illinois. He lived in Illinois, France, Oregon, Mississippi, Colorado, Virginia, Nebraska, and then Montana. When his father retired as a U.S.A.F. master sergeant to begin a new career in teaching, the family moved to Missoula and Lolo, MT. Dan graduated from Hellgate High School in 1975. He had various jobs in his younger years including working at a honey company, gathering and collecting honey from the supers, and even as a beer deliverer to the bars in Boston, MA., ajob his Teamster uncle, Bobby Boucher, helped him acquire.

Dan continued his education in Missoula, achieving his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Montana in 1984.

After passing the Montana Bar exam, he planned to do some traveling but fate and a four-defendant murder case swiftly brought him to the employ of Frank Altman's Law firm in Havre, MT. Immediate trial lawyer experience, dedication to justice, and his impeccable work ethic set his professional career in motion as a successful attorney and partner with Altman & Boucher Law firm, contract public defender, regional deputy public defender, and his last position in 2010 as the 12th Judicial District Court judge of Hill, Chouteau, and Liberty counties. He retired in November 2018.

Dan married Carla (Elletson) in Maui, Hawaii, May 24, 1997, along with her daughter, Mara, included in the ceremony. Being "older" parents, they were also blessed with two children, a daughter, Elizabeth, and a son, Andrew. Dan was a dedicated family man, reading nightly to the kids at bedtime, the main homework helper, participated in their activities, coached youth soccer teams, volunteered time to read to children at Sunnyside Elementary, family camping, and making memorable trips within Montana, to Canada, San Francisco, Seattle, the Oregon Coast, and Costa Rica.

In their earlier years together, Dan and Carla were certified in scuba diving and fortunate to have several dive trips to Mexico, Honduras, and Hawaii. Dan also enjoyed golfing and his league nights, was an excellent gourmet cook (skills learned from his mother), an avid reader, very intelligent with a great sense of humor and quick wit. He was a true Montana Grizzlies fan. Dan had a passion for the sport of wrestling, starting in high school in Nebraska and later developed into 40-plus years officiating high school and college wrestling. He was a Master Referee, officiated multiple NAIA and Junior College National Wrestling Championships, and enjoyed decades of camaraderie with fellow wrestling officials as treasured friends. Dan the Man will be greatly missed.

Daniel is survived by his wife, Carla; daughter Elizabeth Boucher (Dalton Marcus); son, Andy Boucher; grandson, Jaxon Corcoran, all of Tucson; daughter Mara Corcoran of Montana; brother, David Boucher (Amy) of Austin, TX; sister Debbie Owen (Mike) of Portland, OR; sister Denise Boucher (Brian Hurlbert) of Plainsfield, VT; Carla's siblings and spouses, many beloved nieces and nephews, extended family and dear friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, grandparents, and in-laws, Robert and Adele Elletson. Per Dan's request, there will be no services and his body was donated for medical research and bio-advancement. A Celebration of Life may be planned at a later date in Havre, MT.

Carla and family extend their thanks for the thoughtful messages and remembrances, cards, plants and flowers, and gift baskets sent to them, and great appreciation to the home hospice caregivers for their help.

Please honor Dan with a happy memory and smile, a loving embrace with a loved one, and shared kindness to one another.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.