Besnik Kurshumi died at his home on Thursday, October 29, 2026. He was 76 and lived in Revere.
He was born on September 17, 1950 in Tirana, Albania, to Isuf Kurshumi and Sanije Merdani. For more than 20 years he taught and coached at the Skenderbej Military High School and then at the Military Academy in Tirana, and many of the cadets he trained stayed his friends for life.
In July 1994 he brought his family to the United States and settled in the Boston area. He took the jobs that were available and did them with pride, became a citizen, and kept his ties to Albania. People who knew him describe a loyal, principled man who did not wait to be asked when someone needed food, money, clothes or a hand.
He leaves his wife of more than 50 years, Zamira; his sons Dritan and his wife Kristina, and Ardit and his partner Melodie; his grandchildren Eva, Kai and Julian; his brothers Genc Kurshumi and his wife Mimoza, and Artan Kurshumi and his wife Enkeleda; and many nieces and nephews. His sister, Yllka Varfi, died before him.
Visiting hours are Tuesday, November 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Vertuccio Smith and Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach Street, Revere. A funeral service is Wednesday, November 4 at noon, followed by burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett and a meal for family and friends.
Compiled from information published by Vertuccio Smith & Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach Street, Revere. Photograph courtesy of the family via Vertuccio Smith & Vazza. This is our own summary, not the family’s obituary; read the full obituary and leave a condolence at the funeral home’s page on Legacy.com. Corrections: we will fix any error promptly.
