James (Jim)
Boushay, 63, Former teacher & 26-year resident of Oak Park, President &
CEO of Resources Unlimited Foundation, creator of Oak Park’s Festival of
Potluck Foods
Jim Boushay, 63, died unexpectedly in his home in Harvey, LA (outside
New Orleans) on Sept. 21, 2011, where he had been living for the last
two years. Born the 4th
of 7 children to Joseph and Mildred (Manato) Boushay in Jersey City, NJ,
he spent most of his life after high school in the Chicagoland area. He
graduated with honors from DePaul University in 1970 and then pursued a
Masters Degree at Northwestern. He taught high school English for 2
years at Lake Forest Academy and at Marmion Military Academy in Aurora
for another 6 years.
Over the next 13 years, Jim served as official spokesperson and Director
of Development for several organizations, including the Menninger
Foundation in Topeka, KS, Provident Hospital in Chicago, and the Chicago
Historical Society. Around 1993, he established Resources Unlimited
Foundation and began his life’s work, focusing on “grassroots education
of thought & action in community service and volunteerism.” Being a
prolific writer, Jim, along with his partner, Rickey Sain, Sr., was
involved in extensive consultation on improving civic, social,
educational, and religious engagements in service to others. Two years
ago, they moved to New Orleans in order to continue their work in that
community and to study the resiliency of the human spirit in the face of
extreme tragedy and loss. He died before being able to complete his book
which chronicles their many experiences, studying humankind as he and
Rick travelled across the country in their “Motor Home of Miracles,” as
he called it.
Another accomplishment of
which Jim was very proud was his creation and implementation of the Oak
Park Festival of Potluck Foods in 1995 which attracted 100’s of Oak Park
residents for the sharing of food, fun and music. He described it as “a
cultural celebration bringing together diverse neighbors and friends,
making everyone feel included” and repeated the annual “party” for 12
years.
James Michael (Allen) Boushay is survived by his daughters, Therese
(Tracy) of San Salvadore and Rachel (Paratore) of Chicago, IL and their
mother, Catherine (Cathy) of Arlington Heights, IL; his siblings,
Maryanne DeStefano of Queen Creek, AZ, Maureen Rossilli of Englewood,
FL, and Jerome (Jerry) of San Diego, CA (and their spouses); and his
partner, Rickey Sain, Sr.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Michelle, and 2
brothers, Joseph and John. His body will be cremated in New Orleans and
a memorial service will be planned for sometime within the near future.
Memorials may be directed to Seguin Services at 3100 S. Central Avenue,
Cicero, Illinois 60804.
Be at peace, Jim. Your friends and family will miss you.