Gerard E. Bush, age 91, passed away on June 14, 2024, surrounded by his children and grandchildren at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.  Gerard (Jerry) was born June 29, 1932, in Staten Island, New York, to Eurotis Hastings and Margaret (Murphy) Bush.

Jerry spent his formative years growing up in Tilson, New York, where his father, an NYPD sergeant, was assigned to patrol New York City’s water supply during World War II.  After the war ended, Jerry and his family moved to lower Manhattan, residing on Murray Street, where he graduated high school from St. George Academy.

Jerry was drafted into the US Army in September 1952 and served in Korea as a combat infantryman with the 27th Regiment (Wolfhounds), achieving the rank of corporal.  He received the Bronze Service Star medal and a Combat Infantry badge for his distinguished service.  After his 1954 discharge, Jerry returned to Staten Island to be closer to family and took night classes at Wagner College. In November 1957, he wed Helen Kenny, with whom he raised three children. They were married for 54 years until Helen’s passing.  They moved to Lavallette, New Jersey, in 1998, and wintered in Vero Beach, Florida. Jerry resided in Lavallette until relocating to Seabrook Village, Tinton Falls, in January 2021.

Jerry was a Quality Control Engineer for JP Steven’s, a leading textile manufacturer with notable clients such as Levi Strauss and Brooks Brothers, working in Manhattan for over 40 years.  As part of his quality control responsibilities, he frequently traveled to the production mills in the southern states forinspections to ensure product quality. He retired from BibbManufacturing Co. in 1996, as a member of the institutional sales division.

Jerry was a home maintenance specialist, doing all the painting and handiwork, inside and outside, to keep everything in tip-top shape. He and Helen were Broadway play enthusiasts, saving the Playbills as mementos.  While living in Lavallette, Jerry was an active parish member of St. Pio of Pietrelcina.  As a member of the Holy Name Society, he served as an usher at Mass on Saturday evenings.  Jerry ran the summer 50/50 parish fundraiser and was a member of the organizing committee for the parish’s annual Oktoberfest event. He was also a member of the Lavallette Seniors. Jerry was an active member of his local VFW and American Legion posts, volunteering at events to support local families in need and adults with disabilities. He took up golf as a retiree and played regularly in Lavallette and Vero Beach.  While residing at Seabrook, Jerry participated in all social activities, playing Bingo twice weekly and enjoying movie nights.  He looked forward to the live entertainment and happy hour events each Thursday and was a faithful attendee at weekly Mass and Communion services. Jerry was an avid New York Yankee and overall baseball fan. He was the best father and a wonderful grandfather and doting great grandfather.  His favorite thing to do was spend time with his family, whom he saw multiple times each week.

Surviving Jerry are his son, Michael (Marion) Bush; his daughters, Kathleen Haggerty and Susan (John) Cizin; his six grandchildren, Katie and Christine Haggerty, Courtney (Tom) O’Toole, Kiley, John, and Norah Cizin; his great-grandson Callum O’Toole, and a sister, Sr. Marjorie Ann Bush, Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic.  In addition to his wife Helen and his parents, predeceasing Jerry was his sister Mary (Betty) Hasson and son-in-law Sean Haggerty.  Jerry was a loving uncle and great-uncle, and a long time friend to many.

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 17 from 3pm – 7pm at Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, June 18 at 9:15am at the Church of St. Catharine, 108 Middletown Road, Holmdel. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 62 Cedar Grove Rd, Toms River.

In lieu of traditional remembrances, Gerard’s family asks with gratitude that donations in his memory be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org)

For messages of condolence, or to share a favorite memory of Gerard, please visit his page of tribute at www.HolmdelFuneralHome.com