Rev. Frederick W. Bush
June 7, 1926 ~ December 8, 2017
Resided in:
Pittsford, New York
Father Frederick W. Bush, a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester for more than six decades, went home to the Lord on December 8, 2017, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. He was 91 years old.
Father Bush was born a child of Roy F. and Irene (Toomey) Bush on June 7, 1926. He grew up in Rochester’s Blessed Sacrament Parish and attended Blessed Sacrament School, later attending the former St. Andrew’s Seminary and then St. Bernard’s Seminary. He was ordained at Sacred Heart Cathedral on June 2, 1951, by The Most Reverend James E. Kearney, fifth Bishop of Rochester.
During his many years of ministry, he served as assistant pastor of St. Patrick, Elmira (1951-1954); St. John the Evangelist, Greece (1954-1961); Holy Cross, Rochester (1961-1965); and St. Mary, Rochester (1967-1971). He also served as a spiritual director at St. Bernard’s Seminary from 1965-1967.
Father Bush was the long-time pastor of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Penfield, from 1971 until he was granted senior-priest status in June, 2001. As a senior priest, he lived at St. Mark Parish, Greece, until he moved to the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse in Pittsford.
While in Penfield he became a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus and became active in the Penfield Kiwanis Club where he served as President for one term .
He is survived by his sister, Dr. Mary T. Bush, PhD; numerous cousins; and his Diocesan family, who mourn his loss.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at the Sisters of Saint Joseph Motherhouse, 150 French Road, beginning at 4:00 p.m. and concluding with Vespers at 7:00 p.m.
On Wednesday, December 13, 2017, Father Bush will lie in state at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 1355 Hatch Road, Webster, from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m., with The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of Rochester, as the principal celebrant, and Father Thomas M. Erdle as homilist. Burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery will follow.
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Father Bush meant so much to our family. When I was in the operating room giving birth to our daughter, Faith, who lived only a couple of hours, he was just outside the door praying. He came to my hospital room to bless me each day afterwards. When we lost a son, two years later, he went to our house to be with the children so they wouldn’t be alone when we called from the hospital to tell them. We named our son Frederick after him. Being with him was always a comfort, you knew he wanted the best for you always. His eyes just sparkled with the joy of his faith and his love for God touched every aspect of who he was. Being around him just made me want to be a better person. We love you Father and will never stop praying for you as we know you will continue to pray for us. Well done good and faithful servant. Rest in peace.