Obituary of Dennis P. Bush

Dennis P. Bush, 61, of 338 Hallock Street, Jamestown, passed away Thursday (January 20, 2011) in the Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY, following a lengthy, courageous battle with liver disease, including being a transplant recipient in April, 2001. A lifelong area resident, he was born February 18, 1949 in Jamestown, NY, the son of the late Harry L. and Edith Marie Soderstrom Bush. He was raised in the Salvation Army where he became a musician, learned to serve his fellow man and grew to love the Lord. He was a 1967 graduate of Jamestown High School. After graduating from Jamestown Community College, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Fredonia State University in 1973. He worked as a Certified Respiratory Therapist for W.C.A. Hospital for over 36 years, recently retiring as Clinical Coordinator of Respiratory Care. His caring compassion for patients and their loved ones was comforting to so many. His professionalism and expertise was recognized when he was selected as the initial WCA Employee of the Month. He was an adjunct instructor for Gannon University and in 2008 was inducted into the Gannon University chapter of Lambda Beta, the national Respiratory Care Honor Society. He was a member of the American Association of Respiratory Care, the National Rifle Association, Lakewood Rod & Gun Club and the Jamestown Rifle and Pistol Club. In earlier years, he enjoyed skiing at the former Jamestown Ski Club and sailing at the Chautauqua Lake Yacht Club in the Snipe sailing class. He was an accomplished skier and a Certified Member of the Ski Instructors of America, instructing at Spring Green, WI and Cockaigne. An avid sportsman, he enjoyed playing tennis and golf, target shooting and was known as Captain Denny of the Tsunami Duck on the waters of Chautauqua Lake. Denny will be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and friend who loved spending time with his family and friends. His welcoming smile and strong handshake will be missed by all. Surviving are his wife, the former Lorrie C. Marker, whom he married August 29, 1970, three daughters, Colleen (Shandon) Hart of Corning, NY, Courtney (Lazaros) Theofilactidis of Jamestown and Chelsea Bush of Chicago, IL, a grandson, Lincoln G. Hart of Corning, NY, a sister, Karen (Steve) Alm of Wakefield, RI and a loving, extended family. Friends will be received from 4-7 p.m. Monday at Lind Funeral Home. On Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., a service celebrating his life will be held there as well. The Rev. Donald E. Ray, retired chaplain of W.C.A., will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dennis P. Bush Memorial Fund, c/o W.C.A. Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 214, Jamestown, NY 14702-0214. The family encourages all to consider becoming organ donors. Denny, and all who knew him, reaped the benefits from such a courageous and unselfish act. Please visit www.unos.org for information.