Jeffrey Busby

At his home in Wallace, Idaho, beloved husband, son and brother, Jeffrey “Jeff” William Busby, 59, passed away February 10, 2014. He was born February 23, 1954 in Arvida, Quebec, Canada; Jeff is the son of Colin “Buzz” and Mary (Halasz) Busby.

At age seven, Jeff borrowed a library book on stage magic and was astonished to discover, "I could lie and cheat honestly." Jeff contributed his first article to a magic publication in 1969, a new technique that won the prize for "Best Card Trick of the Year." By age 17, his sleight-of-hand performances earned him a reputation as a "magician's magician," baffling well-known experts with his creations.

Jeff attended and graduated from the Oakland High School of Oakland, California in 1972. He then attended Merritt College, Laney College and the University of California, Berkeley.
Jeff formed his own company in 1974, initially selling antiquarian books. Since then, he has written and published more than 500 articles, 50 plus books and monographs; receiving many prestigious awards for his work. One of magic's foremost historians, Jeff 's writings are woven with history, giving the reader a full understanding of how the technique or theory is intertwined with the past.

Jeff was a security consultant to numerous casinos in California and Nevada, teaching how to detect cheating methods. He also lectured on Counter Deception and the Detection of Deception at Navel Postgraduate School, Monterey, California and in the Washington, D.C. area.
Jeff married Victoria “Vicki” Grismer on October 15, 1988 in Guasti, California. They moved to the Silver Valley in 1991 from Oakland, California.

He owned and operated Jeff Busby Magic of Wallace -- an international mail order business for professional magicians all over the world.

Nothing about Jeff was ordinary. He had passion and a unique way of looking at things. Not one to take short cuts, Jeff put his heart and soul into everything he did. Audiences found his performances moving and memorable.

Jeff loved and enjoyed spending time with his beloved wife Vicki, their beloved hedgehog “Pokey”, and enjoyed listening to all kinds of music. An avid reader, he loved to learn and share his knowledge with others.

Jeff is survived by his wife Vicki Busby of the family home of Wallace; his parents Colin “Buzz” and Mary Busby of Oakland, California; his brothers and sister Colin Busby and (Melody Tannam) of San Leandro, California, Margaret Lianne (Rick) Murray of Missassauga, Ontario, Canada and Stuart (Patricia) Busby of Rancho Cordova, California; He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and his beloved hedgehog Pokey.

A Celebration of Jeff’s Life will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at the Silver Valley Church Of The Nazarene of Kellogg. A reception and a gathering of family and friends will be held at the Church Fellowship Hall following services.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to Doctors Without Borders, 333 7th Ave., 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10001-5004 or to the Wallace Public Library, c/o Wallace City Hall, 703 Cedar Street, Wallace, Idaho 83873 or to the Silver Valley Church Of The Nazarene, 631 S. Division Street, Kellogg, Idaho 83837.


SHOSHONE FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORY KELLOGG, IDAHO is entrusted with funeral arrangements.

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