Gerald Robert Bush

Gerald R. Bush
“ A few years ago, Jerry and I were conversing about the afterlife, and I asked him, “So what would YOU put in your obituary?” He turned his head sideways and looked at me like it was wearing spaghetti on my head, “I don’t know… How will it matter? I’ll be gone!” he said, and chuckled.

Well, Jerry, that was helpful.

I suppose I should start, as everyone does, and tell you he left this world very unexpectedly. He left behind a loving wife, Cindy, whom he had been with since 1996, his children Jamie, Tracy, Brandy, and Shannon, step-daughter Anita, and several grandchildren. His son John passed in 1998, and although it was somewhat expected due to his muscular dystrophy, it still put a hole in Jerry’s heart for the rest of his life.

Jerry had a difficult childhood. As the eldest, he ended up being a caregiver to his two younger brothers Donnie and Herbie, and his sister Lynette. His mother had a difficult life, and Jerry tried to help care for her throughout his years.

Probably because of the crazy antics of his mostly-absent father, Jerry had a flare for telling elaborate stories, he loved to amuse and entertain. He wrote several articles for the newsletter at the CNS transportation department, “Between Runs.”

I attribute his handiness to his rough upbringing, stubborn nature, and enthusiasm to want to know everything. Jerry knew how to do just about anything. And if he didn’t, he YouTubed it. That’s the part of what made him and Cindy two peas in a pod. Jerry even made a canoe for the two of them. He was a very skilled wood worker and made several pieces of furniture and art.

He always wanted the best for everyone. Because of this, he was extremely sensitive to changes in relationships. Family issues weighed like a brick on his heart; when someone close to him was distant, his heart would break.

At home, he loved taking long walks with his beloved canine companion, Ziggy. Those two were the unofficial Road Trash Removal Service of the area.

He was also the unofficial Amish Buggy Snow Rescue Patrol, but that’s a story for another day.

He would probably be embarrassed by me taking this time to elaborate about him. Although, I know deep down he loved attention, especially if he could tell the grandest story and have everyone laugh.

Jerry continued the conversation with me, “all that matters to me is that your mother is taken care of. She is the love of my life. She’s the strongest woman I’ve ever known, and I just don’t want her struggling.” He’s right. She is the strongest woman I know, too. It was comments like that, that made you know that his heart wasn’t two sizes too small… it was three sizes too big.

A private celebration of life will be held. In lieu of flowers, he would appreciate donations being sent to the Make-A-Wish foundation, or where they adopted Ziggy from—the Ayers Memorial Animal Shelter, 113 Hilltop Rd, Sprakers, NY 12166.

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