Nezhdet Banushi

Nezhdet Banushi, who lived under Communist rule in Albania and was successful Boston business owner for many years, dies at 80

Nezhdet Banushi, of Attleboro, and formerly of Boston, passed away on Saturday, February 24. He was 80 years old.

Born and raised in 1943 in Korce, Albania, Banushi was educated in Albanian schools and attended the military there, where he proudly served his country until honorable discharge.

Banushi grew up in the era when Albania was under communism by dictator Enver Hoxha, who ruled the country with an iron fist - banning the practice of religion, forbidding foreign travel and making it illegal to own private property. After years of living under oppression in Albania, Banushi fled the southeastern European country in 1973 by going to Greece.

In 1975, Banushi married his beloved Anthoula Tsangopoulou in Athens, Greece. Banushi and his wife, who was from Ioannina, Greece, welcomed the birth of their first child in 1976 and then emigrated to the United States. They settled into Boston, where they lived for many years and had three more children.

Banushi was one of Boston's hardest working entrepreneurs and had an incredible work ethic. He ran several businesses over the years, most notably Banushi's Market in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston, which he opened during the early 1980s and sold international food there until the mid 1990s.

Banushi loved spending time with his family. He also enjoyed politics and visiting historical landmarks and museums in Albania and Greece.

Due to visa and travel restrictions, Banushi was not able to visit his own country for many years. After the fall of communism in 1991, Banushi had the chance to reunite with family members he had not seen for a long time.

Banushi is predeceased by his father, Rapo, mother Aise, one sister and brothers.

Banushi is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Anthoula; his son Shaban and longtime partner Marisol; Rosetta and her husband Stephen; Nikoletta and her husband Bobby; Spiridoula and her husband Todd; and six grandchildren, London, Xenia, Apollonia, Harrison, Bobby and Alexander. Banushi is survived by his brother, Adil, and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Friends of the Attleboro Animal Shelter at 27 Pond Street in Attleboro, Mass, because of Banushi's love for all animals.

As we remember Nezhdet, we invite you to leave memories and upload photos to the memorial page. Please visit www.duffy-poule.com