ELLSWORTH – James Harrison Bush, 85, passed away peacefully Sept. 9, 2012. He was born March 18, 192, in Athens, N.Y., to Leonard and Helen (Hallenbeck) Bush.
James grew up in Athens where on the family farm he was able to volunteer as a plane spotter during World War II. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, bird watching and camping. James was a control room operator for a cement manufacturing company until his retirement in 1982, he then moved to Cherryfield with his wife, Barbara, where they built their home together. James was the chef for his church in Cherryfield for more than 25 years, and was known to hand carve wooden toys for craft fairs and to give as gifts to his family.
James was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Barbara Bush; and parents, Leonard and Helen Bush. He is survived by his sister, Martha Bush of Athens, N.Y.; daughters, Linda and husband, Robert Cook, of Chesapeake, Va., Deborah and husband, James Taylor, of Athens, N.Y., Amy and husband, Lawrence Lloyd, of East Durham, N.Y., and Patti and husband, Bernard Percoski, of Altamont, N.Y.; and grandchildren, Jessica and husband, Jessie Carter, Robert and wife, Lisa Cook, Jeremy Taylor, David and wife, Carrie Taylor, Michelle and husband, Tom McIlroy, Mandi and husband, Keith Tooker, and Matthew Percoski. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren; aunt, Sarah Kalney; and several cousins.
Viewing will be held 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, at Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, 47 Main St., Milbridge. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, at Cherryfield Congregational Church, 8 River Road, Cherryfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Cherryfield Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 58, Cherryfield, ME 04622.
James H. Bush
