George Dewitt Bushaw

George Dewitt Bushaw Boonville- George Dewitt Bushaw, 78, affectionately known as "Buddy," beloved husband of Gina, passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, at Rome Memorial Hospital, following a long illness. He was currently a resident of Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Boonville. George was born in Orwell, NY, on July 10, 1933, a son of the late Leonard and Katherine Badger Bushaw. When Buddy was two his mother passed away; afterwards he was raised by his stepmother, Anna Bushaw, of Camden. He attended school in Pulaski, NY, completing his education at Camden High School. Mr. Bushaw served in country in the US Army, in the Korean Conflict, from 1950-1953. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his service in Korea. After his honorable discharge he settled in Camden, where he was employed for Camden Wire Co. In 1955, he began an apprenticeship in Rome, as a mason. Buddy practiced his career as a mason until his retirement in 1998. On July 1, 1972, he was united in marriage with Gina Hulbert, at the Camden United Methodist Church. After their marriage the couple lived in Camden, later moving to Henderson, and in 2009, the couple moved to Boonville. Buddy and the sport of Baseball were synonymous. He greatly enjoyed sports and the company of his friends and teammates. He played and served as team manager for various baseball teams from McConnellsville, Redfield and Camden. For more than a decade he played competitive horse shoes with the Pine Grove Team, of Camden. He filled many shelves with trophies from Bowling, a sport he greatly enjoyed for many years. Buddy frequently entertained family and friends with his chicken barbeques on long hot summer days. He loved playing guitar, and singing, camping, fishing, swimming, and woodworking. He was noted for his easy going personality and practical jokes. Buddy was well loved and will never be forgotten. In addition to his wife, Gina, of Kortenaer Village, Boonville, he is survived three daughters, Brenda, Belinda, and Betrina; four step daughters and their husbands, Cindy Reed, and Bob, Denise Mahlstedt, and Rick, Lisa Richmond, and Jim, and Christine Harrington, and Jim; several grandchildren, great grandchildren; and one half sister, Sonja Kolonko. The last of his siblings, Buddy was predeceased by brothers, Blythe, Ronald, Leonard, and Dean Bushaw; and by sisters, Arlice, and Geraldine. Buddy's family wishes to thank the Boonville Fire Co. Ambulance crew, the staff and doctors at the Rome VA Clinic, and the B-Wind staff at Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Boonville for the kind and compassionate care given to Buddy. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 28, at 1:00 P.M. at St. Joseph's Church, Boonville, with Rev. Sean Patrick O'Brien, as celebrant. Visitation hours are Wednesday 10:30 A.M. until noon, at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville. Members of Charles J. Love Post American Legion, Harland J. Hennessey Post V.F.W. and the Tun Tavern Marine Corps League will conduct Military Rites at St. Joseph's church, Boonville, at the conclusion of the Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to Boonville Fire Co. Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 64, Boonville, NY 13309.