OBITUARY
Russell Lowell Bouligny Sr.
R
NOVEMBER 8, 1948 - APRIL 25, 2019
ussell Bouligny Sr. of Union City and a former Finance Director with the City of East Palo Alto passed away April 25, 2019, approximately a year ago, at age 70. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Houston and Ethel Bouligny. He attended Cohn High School and received a master’s degree from Southern University. He was married to Bonnie Bouligny on February 15, 1969. Russell had a career in Accounting and Finance and worked in various fiscal positions for Cypress Mandela Training Center, Oakland Private Industry Council, City of East Palo Alto, and Morris, Davis CPA, an accounting firm. He was a member of the Nubian Network. He had a passion for golf, fishing, and bowling. Russell served in the City of East Palo Alto as its Finance Director during
the eighties, a challenging time in the City’s history. He is one of the pioneers who served in the City of East Palo Alto’s first decade. He was preceded in death by other pioneers: Jesse Smith, the city’s first public works director; Stanley Hall, the city’s second city manager; Rahn Sibley, one of the city’s first police officers who rose up the ranks to commander; Larry Brooks, Management Analyst, Danny Williams, Recreation Leader, Alma Jackson, Recreation Leader, and Officer Sam “Mustafa” Floyd. Other city employees or former employees who have passed away include Joel Davis and Richard May, two officers killed in the line of duty; Emmanuel Funches, Maintenance Worker; Jim Woods, City Electrician; Antoinette Pietras, Rent Stabilization Administrator; Daniel McGovern, Police Maintenance Mechanic; Tommie Hawkins, Secretary; Officers Marie Watts, Paul Bates (one of the original
Russell Bouligny being celebrated at a birthday party in his honor while at the City of East Palo Alto.
eight who were sent to the academy to be the first East Palo Alto police officers), Bob Lucca and Kenny Rogers; Captain John Sterling, who left the city and served as Police Chief in Ridgecrest and Santa Maria; Commander Kelly; the city’s first police chief Dan Tecumseh Nelson who served as the Chief of Police of Salinas; and Debbie Bickell, Program Manager Russell is survived by his wife Bonnie; their only child, Russell Bouligny Jr.; daughter-in-law Maria Bouligny; grandchildren Jordyn Bouligny, Marianna Pasillas, Yasmine Walls; great grandchildren Nalylah & Otto Cruz and Darren Walls Jr.; and brother and sister, Osmund Bouligny and Kathy Knighten-Russell. He was preceded in death by his parents and elder brother Houston Bouligny. Funeral arrangements were held May 14, 2019 at Palma Ceia Baptist Church.
MAY 2020 EL RAVENSWOOD 9
