Sidney N. Busis, MD
March 22, 2019

BUSIS, MD: SIDNEY N.: Age 97, on Friday, March 22, 2019. Husband of 71 years of Sylvia. Father of Neil, Richard (Judy Beck), James (Maureen Kelly) and William (Leslie Hall). Grandfather of David (Catherine Blauvelt), Anne (z”l), Hillary (Michael Palmieri), Sarah (Matthew Cohen), Deborah (Mathew Levine), Samuel, Ethan, Hannah, Abigail, Adam, Daniel and Molly. Great-grandfather of Arthur, Joshua, Noah and Diana. Brother of Jean Simon. Sidney’s eventful life spanned almost a century, far too rich to capture in an obituary. He mostly grew up in the Depression. His uncle’s untimely death inspired Sidney at an early age to want to become a physician. He attended the University of Pittsburgh, both undergraduate and then medical school under the sponsorship of the U.S. Army. He graduated to become a flight surgeon in the Army Air Corps at the end of World War II. Specializing in Ear, Nose and Throat medicine (Otolaryngology), Sidney became a fixture in the Pittsburgh medical community. Early in his career, he worked with the team that treated polio-stricken children as Dr. Jonas Salk was developing the polio vaccine. With a thriving private practice for over 50 years, he seemingly treated a large portion of the population of Western Pennsylvania. He taught medicine to medical students, interns, residents and colleagues. He was a Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He also published numerous articles and book chapters and participated in national medical organizations and was widely recognized for his work. Sidney simultaneously pursued a second career as a lay leader in many local and national Jewish communal organizations. Among these, he served as the President or Chairman of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, Jewish Family & Community Services, and Rodef Shalom Congregation. In his many roles, he led a wide variety of initiatives, including the establishment of the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh. Among the many boards on which he served, perhaps his favorite was that of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, for which he traveled the world assisting Jewish communities in need. Over the course of his volunteer career he garnered numerous honors. Above all else, Sidney was a devoted family man, who deeply loved his wife, four sons and their wives, and then grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as his parents, uncles, aunts, sister, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and cousins. He was the bedrock of his family, always supportive and helpful. All will cherish his memory. Services at Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Avenue, (at Morewood) Shadyside, on Monday, March 25, 2019, at 10 AM. No visitation prior to services. Interment West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation. Shiva Monday, March 25 through Wednesday, March 27 6 - 9 PM with services at 7 PM at The Metropolitan, 537 N. Neville Street, Apt 3C, Oakland. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, 5915 Beacon Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or online at jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/donate. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. www.schugar.com

Condolences

Dear Sylvia, Neil, Jim and Family Our sincere condolences to all of the Family. We as a family are blessed with the many wonderful memories we have of Mummy ( Cousin Alice ) Bubbe Lottie and everyone else we have lost....may those memories keep your hearts warm; they are priceless. Laugh, Love, and live life to the fullest. With Love Stacey, Evan, and Jaime Eisner

I feel blessed to have known and called Sidney Busis, Uncle Sidney from the time I was a little boy, and spent many hours around the very vibrant Busis family. I was blessed to have known what happy family life looked like from years of the Lowy and Busis families being together for countless dinners and events, birthdays etc. My heart goes out to the entire Busis family and so many of you must agree that we were blessed to have known Sidney and the combination of Sidney and Sylvia, such an amazing couple...That were adored by so many people and blessed to have been a part of their universe knowing friendship and love. I wish I were in Pittsburgh and not Philadelphia, today, to pay respects to the family in person, but you know I am with you in spirit. Lots of love to everyone

Dear Busis family I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr Busis. He was so gracious and kind to me while I lived in Pittsburgh. I especially enjoyed his sense of humor and his very gentlemanly manner. May the memories you all share keep him alive in your hearts. My condolences.