James M. Boucher Obituary

James M. Boucher was faculty at Apollo-ridge High School in Spring Church, PA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about James M. Boucher.

School Role	Faculty
Date of Passing	May 18, 2005
About	James M. Boucher, 70, of Indiana died Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at home. He was born April 17, 1935 in Clairton. He graduated from Dormont High School in 1953 and Indiana State Teachers College, now Indiana University of Pennsylvania, in 1957. He was a teacher by profession and passion. He instilled a respect for education and teachers in all he met. Says his daughter, Libby, “I can't tell you how many times and in how many places he was approached by a former student, grown men and women, who always said, ‘Mr. Boucher, you were my favorite teacher.’ He was my favorite teacher too.” He taught seventh grade social studies for 37 years with the Apollo-Ridge Area School District, retiring in 1995. He was a quiet man who didn’t talk much about his feelings, but expressed them through actions and through his willingness to do anything for his wife, his children and his friends. Recalls Libby: “He joked with my mom, ‘I told you I loved you on our wedding day. If anything changes, I'll let you know.’ He had a great sense of humor, but it was dry and quiet, the kind you’d miss if you weren’t really listening.” He enjoyed spending time with his family. “He loved golf and he played cards every other week with a group of other teachers, some still working and some retired,” Libby says. Boucher was a true optimist, holding on to hope until just the last couple months. “His final gift to us was going through with the BMS trial,” says Libby, “moving to Boston, submitting himself to the constant needles and tests, all because we wanted a few more months with him.” He is survived by his wife, Mary R’Dell Williams Boucher, whom he married Dec. 28, 1960; two sons and three daughters: Steven and wife, Janet, of Tolland, Conn.; Janet Ann Boucher of Collinsville, Va.; Perry Schrello and husband, Dino, of South Park; Robert and wife, Lori, of Allison Park; and Elizabeth Miner and husband, Arthur, of Baton Rogue, La.; five grandchildren, Eric, Adam and Noah Boucher, and Michael and Mark Schrello; a sister, Bonnie Thomas and her husband, David, of Bethel Park, and his mother-in-law, Alice W. Constable of St. Marys. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert Boucher. Memorial contributions may be made to Shannon’s House, 76 Sewall Ave., Brookline, MA, 02446, or online at www.shannonhouse.org.