Donald Morton Boresow, devoted husband and proud father of 14 children, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 20, 2021, at the age of 86. He lived an amazing and fulfilling life and left behind a legacy for which we can all be proud.
Don was born on Nov. 15, 1934. He grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, with his dad Abe, a taxicab driver, his mom Leah, a piano teacher, and his three sisters. A hard worker his entire life, Don’s first job was setting up pins at a bowling alley at the age of 8 where he earned 5 cents a line. He worked up to three jobs at the same time to support his large family. He was a mailman for 35 years and although he may have forgotten a name now and then, he remembered every address. He sacked groceries at local stores and thoroughly enjoyed those daily conversations with customers. He especially liked when his grandkids would visit him at work, where Papa would give each of them candy and a few coins to ride the store’s mechanical horse.
Don graduated from Paseo High School in 1952 where he played football and was captain of the varsity basketball team. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952 and served for three years during the Korean War, achieving the rank of corporal. He later graduated from Kansas City University Junior College under the GI Bill.
He enjoyed his many years working and playing at the old Jewish Community Center where he formed lifelong friendships and created fond memories. He was a collector of old high school annuals and enjoyed reading books and watching old movies. He was a trivia buff about legendary movie stars and his love for history was apparent by the many stories he told. Most of all, he appreciated the phone calls and visits from his children and loved making the grandkids laugh with his jokes, tricks and $1 wages on trivia.
He met his future wife Harriet Bordman at the age of 12 and she pursued him until they were married at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah in 1957. Their 63 years of marriage was filled with love, commitment, sacrifice and devotion. He took tremendous pride, along with Harriet, in raising his 14 children who all attended the University of Kansas. Don was a man of integrity, respect, humor and generosity. He led by example and for this his children and grandchildren will be forever grateful.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Abe and Leah Boresow; his sons, Dennis and Mark Boresow; his beloved granddaughter Abby Glaser; great-granddaughter Eloise Holt; and his three sisters, Bertha Pener, Anita Loeb and Judy Friedlander.
He is survived by his wife, Harriet Boresow, and children, Mike Boresow, Susan Boresow, Steven Boresow (Sherri), daughter-in-law Julie Boresow, Larry Boresow (Alecia), Lori Glaser (Max), Jerry Boresow (Beth), Bobby Boresow (Stephanie), Jennifer Burns (Jeff), Rebecca Boresow (Darrin McDonald), Sarah Mondry (Russ), Amy Prendiville (Dan) and Danny Boresow (Katie). He is also survived by 53 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 26, at Mount Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri, for the family.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions benefit The Boy Scouts of America, Heart of America Council honoring Don’s late sons Mark and Dennis, 10210 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131 or The Abby Glaser Children’s Heart Fund, c/o Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Department of Development, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 9002, Cincinnati, OH 45229.
The service will be livestreamed. For a link to this livestream and to leave online condolences go to mtmoriah.net.
