Jim Boushay, 63, dies Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at his home in Harvey, LA (just outside New Orleans) where he lived with his partner, Rickey Sain, Sr., of 18 years.

1. 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.