Boris Feinman, longtime New Rochellean and civil activist, died peacefully at home in Lantana, Florida on July 22. Boris was born in 1916 in Riga, Latvia to a family of lumber merchants. His father brought the family to America in 1920 and Boris returned to Latvia in 1992 to visit the site of his birth and to see the homes of his uncles who had not migrated to this country. After his arrival in New York, the family took the train to Eagle Pass, Texas, a small border town, where the barefoot boy attended a one-room schoolhouse; then the family moved to Brooklyn near Ebbets Field near all his cousins.

Boris graduated NYU 1937 in Electrical Engineering and as a blocking fullback. He went to work for General Electric and participated in activities to consider the design for a vehicle to land on the moon, an appropriate subject for a longtime science fiction aficionado. On a more practical basis he was on the team responsible for developing the railroad engine featured at the conclusion of the movie “Union Pacific.” He loved traveling from town to town as the movie opened across the country. In only 20 years, he had gone from a child traveling by train to Eagle Pass to living the American Dream traveling with movie stars on a state-of-the-art train.

When the country he loved was threatened, Boris heard the call. In September 1941 he volunteered for the Signal Corps. As Captain with the elite ETG, he helped developed radar alongside the RAF. He was also stationed in Latin America and Australia during the war. He loved the army and considered making it a career until he met Grace Tepper. They married in 1947 after numerous games at Ebbets Field together. They moved to New Rochelle in 1954 where they remained until they retired to Florida.

Boris dedicated his life to teaching youth to take pride in this country and to participate in their government. He developed educational programs that focused on civics and the freedoms that the Constitutions affords us. During the ‘60’s in New Rochelle, he mounted the first “Builders of America” exhibit, displayed in City Hall celebrating African American’s contributions to America. He created innovative programs like Paycheck, Police Partners, and City Interns to keep troubled kids off the streets by giving them business to run to learn the basic business skills and to provide opportunities for kids interested in a career in government. He founded a community theater and lobbied for the creation of a Huguenot Village on the recently (and still) abandoned Fort Slocum (Davids Island).

In the‘70’s, in celebration of the Constitution, Boris founded Convention II, a national program for high school students to debate proposed amendments on the floor of the House.

When he retired to Florida, he continued to be active and to develop new ideas. Today, his “Builders of America” exhibit of Jewish contributions to America from Columbus to Ellis Island is on permanent exhibit at West Point and has been displayed across the country as well as at the Cannon Rotunda at the House of Representatives. With the 350th anniversary of the Jews in America being celebrated this year, his exhibit has been in demand from Miami, Florida to Bangor, Maine, and he loved knowing that his website was being used by people around the world.

Boris had a unique ability to impact people of all ages and circumstances. Unselfish, and generous, the goodness he shared with his family friends and the nation will be sorely missed. This country has lost a true leader. He is survived by his wife Grace, children Peter, Patti, Debi; brother Alfred, nephews Robert, Martin and Andrew; niece Ellen and nephew Marc. Donations to IHARE, P.O. Box 41 Purchase, NY 10577, will be earmarked for The Boris Feinman Civics Education Fund.