LYNN M. BUSSEY

BATH – Lynn MacPherson Bussey, 88, a prominent Bath attorney since 1948, died Aug. 7, 2006, at Mid Coast Hospital, Brunswick. He was born March 20, 1918, in New Bedford, Mass., the son of two medical doctors, Floyd Hamilton Bussey and Edwina MacPherson Bussey. He was educated in New Bedford schools and entered Bates College in 1936, where he was elected class president, and where he soon met his future wife of 59 years, Janet Bridgham of Bath. His class presidency was an early indication of his long life as an extrovert, an optimist and a naturally kind man. Lynn and Janet were married Feb. 16, 1942, in Baltimore, Md. Lynn served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II and always reminded family members that he did not return from the European Theater until 1946. As he put it, he “stayed to clean up.” Two recollections of his service years were barely discussed; he was the only white officer in the segregated army in Alabama who was willing to drive to the railroad station to meet and return to camp with Joe Louis as he toured the country giving boxing exhibitions for the troops; he was more reticent to discuss his role as on of the liberating soldiers of the Nazi concentration at Buchenwald April 11, 1945. After the war, he enrolled at Boston University Law School and in 1948, joined his father-in-law, the legendary, possibly notorious, Edward W. Bridgham Sr. at his law practice in Bath. After one year of what might be described as “shock and awe,” he opened his own practice a few doors farther down Front Street. He told his children that he and his new secretary sat in the office for the first 30 days without anyone ever entering. He practiced until 1993, as “the people’s attorney,” in the words of another Bath lawyer. His practice was built, in part, on his unusually gregarious nature and a genuine interest in people from all walks of life. He embraced the city of Bath as if it were his hometown from birth, and his life was enriched by friendships with an extraordinary cast of local and area personalities, most notably Don Povich, Bob Wagner, Arthur Tainter, Don Small, Francis Stover, Frank Dunton, Judge Paul McDonald, Judge Ronald Hart, Dr. Hamdi Akar, Bill Burnham, Bill Hassan, Don Page, Bob Peabody, the many lawyers during his career, and the closest friend of his adult life, Les Shumway. In all cases, the lubricant of the friendships was his humor, which also became the hallmark of his family’s life. He was a man of strong loyalties. He loved his country. He was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church. He was fiercely devoted to the Republican Party, Bates College, and his family. Once, when asked if he ever voted for the opposing candidate, he answered, “Sometimes I leave it blank.” The sport of football was very important to both Lynn and Janet. They were given to boarding planes for the express purpose of flying to say, Ann Arbor, Mich., to join 106,000 fellow fans for a big game. One interrupted their Sunday pro schedule at one’s peril. Lynn took particular pride in the fact that his three sons played quarterback at Morse High School, just as he had played at New Bedford High. His marriage to Janet was a wondrous success, and his commitment to her care during her 13 years of struggle with Alzheimer’s disease was the crowning accomplishment of his life. It was widely felt in the city of Bath that his devotion to her well being, given single-handedly at home, was inspirational. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Janet, in 2001. He is survived by three sons, Robert B. and his wife, Anne, of Bath, John M. and his wife, Jiraporn, of Bath, William C. and his wife, Nan, of Dedham, Mass.; by one daughter, Anne Bussey Dale and her husband, Michael, of Ellsworth; his older sister, Marion Bentley of Venice, Fla.; his younger brother, F. Robert Bussey and his wife, Ruth, of Algiers, La.; eight grandchildren, Katherine M. Paulus and her husband, Jay, of Bath, Nicholas B. Bussey of Brooklyn, N.Y., Benjamin M. Dale and his wife, Elena, of New York City, Rosemary Dale Soule and her husband, Bill, of Hope, Jonathan B. Dale of Portland, Kate C. Bussey and Sarah B. Bussey, both of Dedham, Mass. and Jason H. Bussey of Bath; five great-grandchildren, Alexander, Christopher, and Isabelle Paulus of Bath and Nathan and Zachary Soule of Hope; and five nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be 2-5 p.m. Thursday at David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home, 638 High St., Bath. The funeral services will take place 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at Grace Episcopal Church, 1100 Washington St., Bath. A private interment will take place immediately after the service at Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorial donations in Lynn’s memory may be made to the Salvation Army, 25 Congress Ave., Bath, ME 04530.