George Busada

Life Legacy
WORCESTER - George Busada, President and Treasurer of Worcester’s first Drive-in Restaurant, the former SPEEDY’S Drive-in Restaurant on Shrewsbury Street, founded in 1959, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Shrewsbury Nursing Home. Prior to sharing with you specifics concerning George and his diverse past; his wife, Marion, and daughter, Pam, would like to express their sincere gratitude to the nurses, aides, and administrative staff at SHREWSBURY NURSING HOME as well as the Doctors, nurses, and aides at ST. VINCENT’S HOSPITAL for the loving and professional care offered to their husband and father, George, during his illness. George’s family would also like to express their thanks to Dr. Jack Kelly and Dr. Charles Birbara and their wonderful staff; along with the Jewish Healthcare Center and two of its angels, Julie and Carol. Born in Worcester, George was a son of the late Harold F. Boosahda, Sr. and Mary N. (Najjar) Boosahda and lived in Worcester his entire life. He graduated from the former Commerce High School, and attended Clark University. As owner and president of Speedy’s Drive-In Restaurant, you would find George and his wife, Marion serving and entertaining municipal, state, and federal officials. As Speedy’s became the focal point for many as the place to meet and greet family, friends, and associates, together they would enjoy the delicious foods prepared by George, Marion, and Marion’s mother, Sarah. In 1969 when Speedy’s was sold, George became a Real Estate Broker and salesman; positions that he enjoyed as he continued to come in contact with the hundreds of patrons from Speedy’s. He became vice president of sales and marketing for Meola Vending and Express Vending and became known as the “Silver Fox” and was recognized and selected as the Ultimate Salesman of the year for a medium size company in 1994. George had two passions that exemplified his life, his love and his commitment to others. First off, he believed the best way to assist others was to donate blood. He would often say, “If I can be there for someone in need, I will.” Leading by example, George would be on the doorsteps of the American Red Cross the day he was eligible to donate again. So committed was George, that his last donation just a few years ago was number 204. That’s correct. George donated 204 pints of blood during his life time, and is credited with saving many lives in the process. George’s second passion was for the New England Summer Nationals, having served on its original committee and for which the theme for many years focused on SPEEDY’S DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT. You could find George and Marion at Green Hill Park from morning till night during the Summer Nationals. George’s love, beyond his family, was for his church, St. George Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester. He was a former member of its Board of Directors (Parish Council); former treasurer of its Knights of St. George; coordinated several fund raising dinners for the Cathedral; assisted in the reorganization of its Men’s Club, in addition to being an assistant scout master for the Cathedral’s Boy Scout Troop # 72 for many years. He also was a proud member of the Young Mahietett Society, the Syrian Brotherhood Orthodox Society, and the Syrian Lebanese American Association. Each Sunday without fail for more than 50 years, George and Marion could be found in the Cathedral kitchen preparing for the coffee hour after Liturgy. If by chance you had coffee, you knew it would be outstanding since it was brewed under the close supervision of George Busada. George was a director and former treasurer of the Grafton Hill Neighborhood Association, a former member of the Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce, the Worcester Sales Executive Club, the Massachusetts Automatic Merchandising Council, the Northeast Coffee Association, the Massachusetts Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Worcester Boys Club, and the Worcester YMCA. Additionally, George was a member of Montacute Lodge of Masons and the Antioch Square and Compass Club.  Always active in Community and Political organizations, George served as treasurer of the Committee to elect Sara Robertson, Mayor of the City of Worcester as well as treasurer of the Committee to elect Paul Clancy to the Worcester City Council. Besides his wife, Marion (Abdow) Busada, George leaves his daughter, Pamela M. Haddad and her husband, Michael of Shrewsbury; two granddaughters, Devon M. Haddad of Charlestown and Alexandra R. Haddad of South Boston; a sister, Evelyn Ayoub of West Roxbury; and many nephews and nieces. Two brothers, Harold F. Boosahda, Jr. of Worcester and Raymond P. Boosahda of Dallas, TX; and one sister, Helen Hamwey of West Roxbury predeceased him. Relatives and friends are invited to gather with George’s family on Thursday, March 9th from 4-7 PM in St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester, and again from 10:00 -10:45AM on Friday, March 10th. The funeral service will commence at 11:00 AM in the Cathedral with His Eminence, Bishop John, assisted by the Rev. Fr. Milad Selim, Dean of the Cathedral officiating. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. It was George’s wish that in lieu of flowers, and, if you are able, that you donate a pint of blood in his memory at the American Red Cross – to save a life. In the event you are unable to do so and wish to make a donation in George’s memory, contributions may be made to St. George Orthodox Cathedral Endowment Fund, 30 Anna Street, Worcester 01604. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of George’s cousin, Philip G. Haddad, Jr. of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit our "Guest Book" here on this page.MEMORY ETERNAL