Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors is proud to introduce you to The Bourdow Family: Gary, Mary, Jack and Madeline. The Bourdows certainly know how to enjoy life! Whether it’s traveling around the globe or welcoming friends and neighbors to their cherished neighborhood, this family is always ready to make memories.
Mary is originally from Montgomery County. She grew up with a younger sister and two younger brothers, attending St. John Bosco grade school and Archbishop Wood High School. “As younger kids, we were always outside,” Mary said. “We lived on a couple of acres of land, but also loved to play in the cemetery nearby.” Perhaps that is why Mary loves Halloween so much and was excited to be featured in our October issue. “I have always loved scary movies. The scarier, the better,” she said. “Naturally, I love Halloween and my sister does, too.” So much so that one year, Mary and her sister entered her sister’s office’s costume contest dressed as the twins from The Shining, and they won!
After graduation, Mary began working in administration for a commercial interior design firm. These days, Mary works in the Mom Industry, raising her two children and volunteering at St. Anastasia, where the kids go to school.
Gary was born and raised in northern Michigan with his three older siblings. He attended Catholic school growing up. Gary was active throughout high school, playing various positions on the varsity basketball team and quarterback for the football team. After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in Science focused on materials and food science, Gary moved to Charlotte, NC, then to Atlanta, GA.
Then in 2007, Gary had an opportunity to relocate to PA to start a business for SupplyOne, a packaging company based in Devon. At the time, SupplyOne was a middle-market regional company that has now grown into a nationally recognized company with $1.5 billion in revenue. “Over the past 20+ years, we have built an industry-leading company providing comprehensive automation and packaging material solutions to food processors of all types, with a focus in meat, cheese, prepared foods, confection and snack foods,” Gary explained.
His successful career with SupplyOne has been both interesting and rewarding. “I have seen how every type of food is grown, raised and processed,” Gary said. “I have also traveled to 49 of 50 states and numerous countries, working with food producers and packaging materials companies of every kind – over 3,000 facilities in total.”
Gary began the search for a home as soon as he arrived in PA, but it took a few months. He really wanted a place that reminded him of where he grew up —a neighborhood that was quiet and peaceful, offering privacy and plenty of charm. “I remember wandering into the Echo Valley neighborhood one day and immediately knew it was where I wanted to be,” he said. “I found a house for sale, and within 20 minutes, I was working with my realtor to submit an offer.”
His offer was accepted, and Gary settled into his home in Newtown Square and his new job with SupplyOne. Then, just a few months later, he met Mary at the Great American Pub in Conshohocken. Gary recalled one of their early memorable dates. “I took Mary to an afternoon Flyers vs Devils hockey game, followed that evening by Game 3 of the Phillies vs Rays in the World Series. You know, the game with the three-hour rain delay that didn’t end until 1:45 in the morning?” he laughed. “Mary was sold on me after that double header!”
That was the first of many memorable dates before Mary and Gary got engaged in 2010. “We were on a trip to Sonoma, with a stop in San Francisco,” Mary said. “Gary proposed on the top f loor of the Hilton, on a balcony suite overlooking the city.” The proposal was perfect, and they celebrated the next day by biking across the Golden Gate Bridge to symbolize leaving their old lives behind and entering married life together.
Mary and Gary returned home and exchanged vows at the Valley Forge Freedom Chapel, with an intimate family reception in their backyard in Echo Valley. “It was lovely,” Gary said. The newlyweds then spent 10 days on their honeymoon in Paris before settling down and starting their family.
Their oldest is 13-year-old Jack, who attends Devon Prep. Jack is very active in school, was chosen for the Legacy Student Council, and is an Altar Server at Devon Prep and St. Annie’s. He runs track and cross-country, and has won numerous medals while representing the Archdiocese CYO, including the championships at the University of Pennsylvania. He also plays basketball and soccer for Devon Prep. He enjoys car racing of all kinds and playing Xbox Rocket League. “Jack is a very happy, caring and intelligent young man,” Gary said. “He is always willing to step up and help others.”
Madeline (Maddie) is Jack’s 10-year-old little sister. She is in fourth grade at St. Annies, and, like her big brother, Maddie runs track, cross-country, and plays basketball. She also loves horseback riding and playing piano. “Maddie is very thoughtful and caring and has a sharp wit about her,” Mary said. “She’s constantly putting out clever one-liners and making insightful observations. Both of the kids are very polite.”
The Bourdow family’s fur baby is three-year-old Wilson. He’s an English Springer Spaniel who’s full of energy and super fast. “Wilson’s a typical field dog – obedient, loyal, has excellent eyesight and hearing and is also a kind and loving dog,” Mary said.
Gary and Mary both come from close, tight-knit Catholic families who value family and faith above all else. “We are family first, all the way,” Gary said. “When we’re home from work and school and sports, we prefer just the four of us hanging out, playing games, chilling by the pool, going to Phillies games and simply making the most of our time together.”
For as much as they love being home, Mary, Gary and the kids equally enjoy traveling near and far. “We are lake people,” Mary said. “During the summer, we take a week and rent a lake house somewhere. We tend to rotate through Maine, Virginia, Michigan and Lake Wallenpaupack in northeastern PA.” Another annual vacation for the Bourdows is to Little Gasparilla Island in Florida. “I’ve been going there for over 30 years, and when Mary and I got married, we decided to make it an annual trip for our family,” Gary said. “It’s the best off-the-beaten-path spot in Florida, but Shhhhhh! Don’t tell anyone!”
It’s a good thing that Jack and Maddie are good travelers. They’ve certainly got the passports to prove it! Gary, Mary and the kids have discovered a fondness for Europe and have vacationed there several times over the past few years. “This summer we took an amazing trip travelling by train through France and Switzerland,” Mary said. No matter how far this family may travel, they are always happy to unpack their bags here in Newtown Square. “We love our neighborhood and love to call Newtown Square home,” Gary said.
“Mary and I have always been active in Echo Valley, volunteering our time for activities such as hosting neighborhood parties and helping with events and block parties.” In fact, Gary spent a solid 10 years driving Santa Claus, two nights a week in December, through the neighborhood, house to house, to make personal visits.
When asked if they have any special message to share with our friends and neighbors, Gary and Mary said, “Although we have all seen a lot of changes over the past 15 years, we can all play a part in preserving what makes our community special, while also embracing some inevitable changes in a positive way.”
Thank you, Gary and Mary, for sharing your story. Your love for your family, your community and your faith in God is heartwarming and inspiring. Here’s to many more years of happiness here at home and memorable adventures around the globe!