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BARRY BOSTIAN Obituary

BOSTIAN--Barry, retired educational publishing executive, died of lung cancer Monday, April 22, at his home in Orlando, FL. He was 71. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Donaline Jordan Bostian of Orlando; two children, daughter Beth Bostian of Richmond, VA, and son Matthew Adam Bostian of Orlando; and sister Betty Boliek of Augusta, GA. Born in Concord, NC, on August 27, 1940, Barry was the son of Herman C. and Helen O. Bostian of nearby Kannapolis, NC. He graduated from A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis in 1958 and from what is now Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC, in 1961. That same year he married Donaline Jordan of Kannapolis. He began his career in 1961 teaching English at Concord High School. After completing his master's degree at the University of North Carolina, he continued teaching at what is now Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, NC. His special literary interest was the American novel, and his favorite authors were Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, and others who wrote to communicate rather than obfuscate. His favorite novel was Twain's Huckleberry Finn, which he felt was, for those who read between the lines, the most powerful argument against slavery and racial prejudice ever written. In 1967, he joined publisher Harcourt Brace & World, which was about to launch a highly innovative grammar textbook series for elementary and junior high schools. He remained at Harcourt for 36 years, serving in various management and administrative capacities. In the early 1980s, just as computer technology was beginning to impact schools, he was named Vice President and Director of Technology Marketing. He retired from Harcourt in 2003 and worked as a part-time representative for the Command Group of Printing Companies, based in Secaucus, NJ. He was an avid golfer and author of The Fairly Official NESH Guide To Great Golf Games, a privately published book distributed to friends and members of the Noble and Exalted Society of Hackers, a golf club he co-founded. He was interested in birds and indulged his passion for plants by fastidiously caring for a collection of orchids amassed over three decades. A celebration of his life will be held at the family home in Orlando on May 4, 2012. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree or shrub with Barry in mind or making a donation to the Orange Audubon Society at www.orangeaudubonfl.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Apr. 27, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for BARRY BOSTIAN

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James B Wilder

April 21, 2021

We retired at the same time from Harcourt School Publishers. Barry was a good friend and is truly missed!

James B. Wilder

Denis Arsenault

April 21, 2020

A great mentor and friend. Rest In Peace.

Larry French

May 10, 2012

Barry, your warm and friendly perspective was always a welcomed uplift to the many publishing meetings we shared in attendance at HSP. You'll be missed but your gentle spirit will live on in those you dearest touched.

May 6, 2012

My loving brother in law. The kindest man I knew. I was so overwelmed with all that could attend the celeration of his wonderful life. He touched so many people. He was funny. He admired the beauty of nature and the universe. I remember he always looked up at the sky at night before he went to bed. He was a loving father and adored my dear sister. I will miss that great voice.

Kathie Jordan, Wilmington, NC

April 30, 2012

Donaline,
Thinking of you, caring about you with heartfelt sympathy. A fellow NESH hacker who retired with Barry. He will be missed!

James B. Wilder

Denis Arsenault

April 30, 2012

He was a great mentor, friend, and confidant. He will be surely missed. A great husband, father, and friend.

April 29, 2012

Any golf outing involving Barry was a treat! He made me laugh so hard that it hurt. His wit,humor and intellect will be greatly missed.
Steve Gandy (Austin, Texas)

David King

April 27, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Love you Beth.

Matt Bostian

April 27, 2012

I love you daddy. I miss you tons but more then anything, I'm honored to have known you. Thank you for everything. I love you...

Brian Parker

April 27, 2012

I will treasure my copy of The Fairly Official NESH Guide To Great Golf Games, signed by the NESH Venerable Secretary General. I will also fondly remember the NESH outings that Barry organized, in addition to our interaction at Harcourt. His including me in memorable NESH gatherings was always very much appreciated. Barry was quite a guy – his voice, his humor, and his rhetoric will be remembered …. and missed. My condolences to Barry's family.

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