Besnik Kurshumi of Revere, who spent more than 20 years teaching and coaching young people in Albania before bringing his family to the United States, died at home on Thursday, October 29, 2026. He was 76.
He was born in Tirana on September 17, 1950, to Isuf Kurshumi and Sanije Merdani. He worked as a professor and coach at Skenderbej Military High School and later at the Military Academy in Tirana, and many of his former students stayed his friends for life.
He came to the United States in July 1994 and took whatever jobs he needed to support his family in the Boston area. He became a U.S. citizen and kept close ties to his Albanian roots. His family describes a loyal, principled man who helped anyone in need with food, money or clothing without waiting to be asked.
He and his wife, Zamira, were married for more than 50 years. He also leaves 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, nephews, relatives and friends. His sister, Yllka Varfi, died before him.
Visiting hours are Tuesday, November 3, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach Street, Revere. The funeral service is Wednesday, November 4, at noon, followed by burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
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.