Nick Bunick

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the peaceful passing of Nick Bunick, an icon, husband, father, grandfather, friend, author and builder/developer. Nick passed away gently on January 21 2024 leaving behind a legacy of community development, humanitarian work and many that loved him dearly.

Nick Bunick's life was truly the epitome of the American dream and was a true testimony of his determination and success. After an impressive career, he then devoted to giving back to charity and the community.

On April 26, 1936 Nick was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts to Ruben and Florence Bunick. At the time, Boston's Chelsea neighborhood housed some of the most impoverished tenement projects where the young Nick Bunick gained popularity among his peer group for his charm, intelligence and athletic prowess. It would be his athletic accomplishments that gave Nick the opportunity to leave the projects and launch his football and later Real Estate Development Career.

Nick was a Chelsea High School Grid star and co-captain of the 1954 Eleven Football team. He graduated from High School as a national honor student and all-state in football in 1954. Nick attended the University of Florida from 1954-1958 on a football scholarship. As a team captain of the "Gators", Nick was well respected by his teammates. He proudly wore Gator number 44 which became important and prevalent throughout his life.

After graduating college, Bunick served as a First Lieutenant in the US Army from 1958 to 1961. He was second in command of 1700 men in an elite unit known as Special Troops. His military service at Fort Ord, California reflected a life well lived with vigor and purpose.

A formidable presence in the business world, Nick's career spanned from excelling as a sales representative to establishing his own real estate company, significantly impacting and creating residential and commercial development.

After College, Nick lived in Arizona, California, Texas, London and ultimately settled in the Portland Metro Area. In the 1970's and 80's, Nick Bunick Custom Homes Inc. was finishing work on Southwest Portland's Wilcox West Estates, when Nick saw the exciting opportunity he had been waiting for in land development in Lake Oswego.

With the developments of Lake Oswego's Village on the Lake, Sunnyhill and Westlake, Nick fulfilled a lifelong goal to create a new generation of upscale family homes and community neighborhoods. To Nick, they were not just houses, they were homes and neighborhoods that gave families a sense of pride. Nick was visionary in changing the standard layout of Portland Metro area homes. Nick Bunick Custom Homes set a trend for higher ceilings, grand entries, off-entry dens, formal areas, and multiple family spaces. His neighborhood designs included landscape medians, roundabouts, mountable curbs, linear street patterns, and green spaces. Nick believed these neighborhoods were a way he could give back by giving other's the life of the American dream. Nick's "Swan Song" was a 5 million dollar spec estate on main Lake Twin Points in the early 90's.

Nick was known in Lake Oswego as a "gridlock-breaker" in the ongoing efforts to develop Lake Oswego's downtown area. He had his hands in some of the largest developments in the Portland area. Notably, his work in Lake Oswego, included the master plan design and construction of the nationally recognized Kruse Way Boulevard Commercial Corridor. Bunick's donation of the 11 acre parcel known as "WestLake Park", underscored his commitment to enhancing urban living and provide the opportunity for summer concerts and sport events that many residents enjoy today. Bunick was committed to helping others through change and progress and became involved in politics. He ran for Congress and won the primary vote in 1977 with the tag line "Pick Nick". As a result of this, he was able to meet and stay connected with several Presidents including, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George HW and George W Bush as well as Bill Clinton. He stayed connected and informed on all local and world issues up to his passing.

Nick Bunick's business ventures extended into high-tech industry. Nick was an original founder/investor of In Focus Systems Inc. which contributed to the creation of a multi-billion dollar sector.

By Nick's retirement from builder/development, he had journeyed from his hometown Chelsea's beginning with few resources, to having built over 700 luxury homes and was a leading influence in his local economy, national politics and philanthropy.

It was at this point in Nick's life, he decided to reach people through his several spiritual books including "The Messengers" released in 1997 which became a New York Times Best Seller under authors Ingram/Hardin. He traveled around the country giving symposiums and helped many find their spiritual path.

Nick's passion for football ran deep and he eventually invested efforts into bringing a professional football team to Portland called the "Oregon Lightening Bolts" in 1992. Later, he became an avid football fan of Lake Oswego High School Football, where he cheered on his youngest son Nicholas (corner back) and team at every game and practice. He was thrilled to experience LOHS's win of the 2011 All State Football Championship.

Bunick's dedication to non-profit work, particularly with Childhelp USA, showcased his deep commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of the vulnerable. He helped so many people throughout his life.

Nick Bunick was predeceased by his parents, Florence and Ruben Bunick, as well as his sister Reisa, brother Irving Bunick and son Christopher Scott Bunick. Nick is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Mary Jo Avery and son Nicholas Avery Bunick (Linnéa), Tonya Bunick. Daughters Cyndi Tucker (Bill), Kim DeNeffe (Todd), and son Kevin Bunick (Celeste). Nick adored his 7 Grandchildren Erin Tucker, Andrew Tucker, Samantha Alderman (Zach), Morgan Tucker, Bailey Bunick, Meg DeNeffe and Helen DeNeffe. He was also loved and cherished by Louise Avery, Chip Avery, nephews Tristan, Emmett, Elliott Avery, Michael Bunick (Evelyn Young) and Neil Bunick (Partner Sandra Allonen), and all our Boston family. Nick always entertained his family and grandkids, his card tricks and the "Two Little Blackbirds" will live on in time. There are countless memories of late-night cards and singing around the kitchen table. He will be dearly missed by all those who loved him, whose lives were forever changed by knowing him.

A "Celebration of Life" will be held at the Lake Oswego County Club, 20 Iron Mountain Boulevard on Nick's Birthday, April 26th, from 3:00pm to 6pm. If you are considering sending flowers to the Country Club on April 26th, the family kindly requests in remembrance of Nick's angelic journey the gift of white flowers, a symbol of peace and love.