When Frank Bush was made an Honorary Firefighter in 2004, he was given a uniform, which he wore proudly whenever he got the chance. (WESTFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT PHOTO)
WESTFIELD- The Westfield Fire Department mourns the loss of longtime honorary member Frank Bush, 74, who died April 2.
Bush was a familiar face in the department and was deemed an Honorary Firefighter. He was known to come to the firehouse every day for six decades to help in the department’s kitchen and cook breakfast for the working firefighters.
“From day one as probationary firefighters, Frankie has personally mentored three generations of firefighters in the art of properly cooking bacon, camaraderie and respect to the senior members – of which he loved to brag that he was number one,” said the Local 1111 Firefighters Union in a Facebook post commemorating Bush, “From promotions to parades to retirement parties, Frankie never missed a chance to show his support to his fellow brothers and sisters.”
Bush was close with many of the members of the fire department over several generations of firefighters. The Kane family, which has several members in the Westfield Fire Department both active and retired, was particularly close with him.
“I’ve known him since I was a little kid. He was down there before the current headquarters was built,” said Capt. Chris Kane. “He was the first one to volunteer for anything that we needed. He was down there every day, and when he wasn’t, he was sure to let us know.”
Bush was made an honorary firefighter by the fire department in 2004, through the efforts of then-Chief Patrick McGinn.
“The uniform meant so much to him. He wore it with pride. Every parade he would be smiling ear-to-ear,” said Chris Kane.
Chris Kane’s thoughts were echoed by other members of the department. Senior Firefighter David Ritchie said Bush was always invited to family gatherings of current and retired firefighters.
“Frank Bush was a special person. He was a member of the fire department family for a long time. His connections to the fire department transcended generations, my son is a firefighter now and had gotten to know Frank the last few years,” said Ritchie.
Ritchie said that Bush was everything that one should aspire to be as a firefighter and as a Christian. Bush had worked at St. Mary’s Parish and attended Mass at St. Mary’s church.
“He loved other people more than himself,” said Ritchie.
Deputy Chief Pat Kane, brother of Chris Kane, said that Bush had been coming to the station since his own grandfather was on the job there.
“In the old days he used to make ice cream runs for the guys, they would give him money and he would come back with ice cream and correct change down to the penny,” said Pat Kane, “I don’t remember not knowing him.”
Frank Bush was often seen in the fire department headquarters kitchen cooking breakfast for the firefighters. (WESTFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT PHOTO)
Pat Kane said that Bush had a way of always making someone smile.
“We are all better people for having known him,” he said.
Former Fire Chief Tom Kane, the uncle of Chris and Pat, said that he used to bring Bush around the city and to City Hall, where he would say hi to the employees.
“When I was at St. Mary’s, he worked at the donut shop, they used to bring the leftover donuts to the old station,” said Tom Kane, “Then he started working at Noble Hospital and we were upset because that meant no more donuts.”
Tom Kane said that every year for Bush’s birthday on April 19 they would bring him to Fenway Park for a Red Sox game. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and postponement of the MLB season, those plans were cancelled. However, Tom Kane said that they were planning on surprising him when things calmed down and started opening back up again.
“When it all opened back up we were gonna surprise him with a band and everything,” said Tom Kane.
Due to the pandemic, a proper funeral will not be held. However, there are plans to have a small memorial outside of the fire department headquarters in the coming days with social distancing measures in place.
