Obituary of Nicholas J. Bush

Nicholas J. Bush Nicholas J. Bush, 88, owner of the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, 218 W. Court St., Rome, passed away Wednesday, November 14, 2007 in Peabody, MA. He was born in Rome, N.Y. on October 28, 1919, a son of the late Julius and Anna Fragola Bush. Educated in Rome schools, he graduated from Rome Free Academy. Mr. Bush graduated from Simmons School of Embalming, and received his New York State License as an Embalmer and Funeral Director in 1941. He entered the U.S. Navy during World War II in July of 1942 and as a hospital corpsman 3/C he was stationed at the U.S.N.R. Midshipman School at Columbia University. Later, he was transferred to the U.S.S. LST 48 as a pharmacist mate first class with a medical team for the Normandy Invasion of Omaha Beach. Mr. Bush also served on the APA USS Thurston for the invasion of southern France and was also stationed in Algeria, receiving his honorable discharge in December of 1945. On September 23, 1948, he married Pauline M. Lucci in St. John the Baptist Church, with the Rev. Mon. Victor F. Ciciarelli officiating. Mr. Bush had worked at Revere Copper and Brass in the cast shop. On September 23, 1951, he opened the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, where he remained owner and president for over fifty years. He was also a partner in the former Evergreen Florists from 1946-1951. Mr. Bush was active in the community and known to be very compassionate throughout his professional career. In 1957, he was elected to the Rome Board of Education, serving for 17 years. He was chairman of its Buildings and Grounds Committee and elected President in 1967. Mr. Bush served on the Utica State Hospital Board of Visitors for two years under Governor Averill Harriman. As a member of St. John the Baptist Church, he was an active member of its building committee, past president of St. John's Men's Holy Name Society, and former member and president of the board of St. John's Cemetery. He was also a life member of VFW Rome Post #2246, where he served as a former senior vice commander, a member of H.P. Smith Post #24 American Legion, life member and Third Degree Rome Council 391 Knights of Columbus, life member of Rome Elks Club, Toccolana Club and honorary member of the Tri County Funeral Directors Association. Mr. Bush was a former member of Oneida County School Boards Association, National School Boards Association, National Funeral Directors Association, New York State Funeral Directors Association, Rome Optimist Club, Galliano Club, Rocco Racco Post, Rome Moose Club, St. Gregory's Society, and the former Beaverbrook Golf Club. Surviving, besides his loving wife of 59 years, Pauline, are a son and daughter-in-law, Nicholas P. and Joanne Bush, Rome; two daughters and sons-in-law, Janet and Steven Cronholm, N. Attleboro, MA., Elaine and Joseph Beggan, Beverly, MA.; four cherished grandchildren, Andrew S. Cronholm, Sarah M. Cronholm, Laura E. Bush and Nicholas M. Bush; a sister, Mary Zanich, Pembrooke, PA. Also surviving are sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Frances Bush, Carolyn Bush, Gilda Lucci, Helen Martini, and Paul and Kathy Lucci, all of Rome; and nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by three brothers, Henry A. Bush, Joseph A. Bush, Anthony H. Bush, and a sister, Mollie Lacatta. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 19, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church where relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be private. Friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St. on Saturday from 6-8 p.m., and Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the St. John the Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 210 E. Dominick St., Rome, N.Y. 13440 or Jervis Public Library, 613 N. Washington St., Rome, N.Y. 13440.