Paul F. Bousel

Paul Frederic Bousel passed away on May 19, 2026, after a sudden, unexpected illness. Paul was born on April 23, 1953, in the Bronx, NY, to Ellin and George Bousel. He grew up in New Rochelle, NY, with his two siblings, Aaron and Debby. After graduating from New Rochelle High School in 1971, Paul earned a degree in psychology from Hofstra University, where he met his first wife, Faye Brenner.

Paul and Faye had two children, Joshua and Rachel, and he earned a master's from George Washington University before moving to Burke, Virginia. Paul was an academic advisor at George Mason University, where he proudly and lovingly guided students through educational choices for 33 years until his retirement in 2015.

Paul met the love of his life, Merrilee Seidman, in 2001, and the two wed in 2005. They shared 25 happy years together as best friends. They enjoyed winning races on the weekends and taking their annual trips to Rehoboth and Bethany Beaches. They were loving parents to three rescue dogs: Lucy, Gracie, and their latest, Mitzi, who liked to snuggle up with Paul in the recliner.

Paul was an accomplished athlete. For 20 years, he built a community of friends through swimming with his masters group under Coach Flanagan. As a runner, he was a competitive age-group winner and raced for the PR DC Elite Running Team. Even into his 70s, he went for daily bike rides and runs.

Paul was warm-hearted and always ready with a joke. He was an avid reader, rarely missed an episode of Jeopardy, and completed the New York Times crossword daily. He loved music and played guitar and piano, composing songs for his children and wife.

Paul became a grandfather in 2021 with the birth of his grandchild, Ari, who was the light of his life.

Always dependable, the loss of Paul is truly immense for his friends and family.

Paul is survived by his two children, Joshua (Kristin) and Rachel (Chuck), his grandchild Ari, his wife Merrilee, and siblings Aaron (Patience) and Debby (Carmen).

There will be a memorial service on Friday, May 22, at 1:00 p.m. at Demaine Funeral Home, located at 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, Virginia.