Phyllis Busansky's husband: 'Her dreams were bigger than all of us'

TAMPA — People planning to attend today's public memorial service for Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections Phyllis Busansky should get there early because the 950 seats inside the temple may not be enough.

Temple Schaarai Zedek, a synagogue at 3033 W Swann Ave. that Mrs. Busansky, 72, attended, is bracing for an overflow crowd at the 11 a.m. memorial.

It will carry a live video feed of the ceremony to TV screens outside the temple. In addition to the church's parking lot, four nearby parking lots will be available.

Two lots are a block away. They are: Tampa Unity Church, 3302 W Horatio St., and Henderson Boulevard Church of Christ, 3402 Henderson Blvd. Shuttles will be available for those parking at Bonefish Grill, 3665 Henderson Blvd., and Bayshore Baptist Christian Church at 3111 W Morrison Ave.

The synagogue has hired extra-duty police officers, according to Tampa police spokeswoman Andrea Davis. They will direct traffic in the area around the temple, but no road closures or traffic diversions are planned, she said.

"There is no doubt that there will be traffic and that people need to allow extra time and be extra patient," Davis said.

Mrs. Busansky's husband, Sheldon, said Thursday that she inspired a generation of people to believe they had a voice in government.

"One thing people said continuously about Phyllis was that she inspired them to be their best," he said in a statement, his first since his wife's death. "To us, she was just an amazing wife, a terrific mother and she loved each of her grandchildren deeply. She was always there for us. In her departure, we realize that her dreams were bigger than all of us."

Mrs. Busansky is survived by her husband, two sons, Alexander and Edward, a daughter, Rebecca, and nine grandchildren. She was found dead Tuesday while attending a Florida supervisor of elections conference in St. Augustine.