Christian M. Boissonnas

Christian Boissonnas, 80, of Lake Barrington Illinois, passed away surrounded by his loving family on April 8, 2022.  He was born in Paris, France on March 21, 1942 to Marie-Louise Lobenstine and Remi Boissonnas.  Christian is survived by his wife of almost 49 years, Barbara, their daughter Stephanie Cole and sons Roger and Eric Boissonnas and David and Jim Dunlap.  They all were a source of great love and pride for him. He also leaves his brother Jean in Belgium, brother Alain and his sister Marie-Christine in France as well as 15 grandchildren, 2 greatgrandchildren and his former wife, Susan King.

Christian left France in 1960 to attend Cornell University.  He spent his entire career as an administrator in the Cornell University Libraries until his retirement in 2001. He and Barbara moved to Illinois in 2003.

Christian spent his life in service to others.  He was a volunteer fireman, a fire chief, an Emergency Medical Technician and was on the Suicide Prevention phone lines for 10 years, where he was elected Chairman of the Board. He stepped up to lead Boy Scout Troop 4 when no one else was available. He mentored countless young librarians over the years. After moving to Illinois he was elected to his Town Board and later was elected Chairman of his Condo Board and member of the community’s governing body.

He was devoted to his family and unflinchingly provided a strong, solid foundation of fiscal responsibility and ethical behavior with great love and affection. He treated everyone he met with dignity and respect, and was genuinely interested in learning about their lives. A great reader of all sorts of genres, his curiosity about science and the universe was insatiable.

Christian loved all kinds of animals and noticed things about them that no one else ever imagined. His intuition about them was remarkable.  He drew great pleasure from a long list of rescued dogs and cats over the years, and even when it was no longer possible to walk a dog, he so missed having a pet around that we adopted a cat.

Christian had a delightful sense of humor, often with a little twinkle of his French point of view. Everyone loved to be with him for the kindness, wisdom and generosity he always showed.  At the same time, he was exceedingly humble, never boasted or was willing to accept praise for his brilliant mind and good works.  Extremely proud of his French heritage, Christian will be deeply missed by family, friends and colleagues all over the world.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider the Animal House Shelter, 13005 Ernesti Road, Huntley IL  60142.