Fire Chief Patrick Egloff, the Fire Department Honor Guard, and uniformed firefighters salute Frank Bush as his casket is driven past the Fire Department Headquarters. (PETER CURRIER PHOTO)
WESTFIELD- The Westfield Fire Department said goodbye Tuesday morning to longtime friend of the department Frank Bush, who passed away April 2 at the age of 74.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Bush was unable to be given a proper funeral as social distancing guidelines are in place. In lieu of a traditional funeral the Westfield Fire Department, with help from the Westfield Police Department, gave a final sendoff to Bush by standing outside of the fire headquarters and saluting him as his casket was driven past.
Bush was a longtime friend of the fire department. For more than 50 years he would come to the fire department headquarters kitchen in the mornings to cook breakfast for the firefighters.
With the flags at half staff and the vehicle bays bedecked with mourning bunting, the members of the Westfield Fire Department remember Frank Bush, an honorary firefighter who spent decades helping out at the Fire Department every morning. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
“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.”
As the small motorcade was driving past the headquarters, it stopped right as church bells rang at 10 a.m.. Many members of the fire department stood silently, saluting Bush to say their final goodbye.
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)
Bush’s time working in the fire department spanned three generations of firefighters. He was close with many members of the department, including the Kane family, which has multiple generations working in the fire department.
“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.”
In 2004, through the efforts of then-Chief Pat McGinn, Bush was made an honorary firefighter. As such, he was given a uniform, which he wore proudly whenever he had the opportunity.
“The uniform meant so much to him. He wore it with pride. Every parade he would be smiling ear-to-ear,” said Capt. Kane.
Senior Firefighter Dave Ritchie said that Bush was a frequent guest at the family gatherings for current and retired firefighters. He said also that Bush served as an inspiration to many in the department for what it means to be a firefighter.
“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, “He loved other people more than himself.”
Deputy Chief Pat Kane, Chris Kane’s brother, talked about how Bush would go make ice cream runs for the firefighters during the day.
“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 Deputy Chief Kane, “I don’t remember not knowing him.”
Former Fire Chief Tom Kane, the uncle of Chris and Pat Kane said that Bush used to enjoy being brought around the city and to city hall by the firefighters.
“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 Chief Kane, “Then he started working at Noble Hospital and we were upset because that meant no more donuts.”
Bush would have turned 75 on April 19. Every year on his birthday, members of the fire department would bring him to Fenway Park to see the Red Sox play. This year, however, the COVID-19 pandemic ended the MLB season before it began, meaning the birthday tradition had to be cancelled.
Chief Kane said they were making plans to surprise Bush when the pandemic died down and things started opening back up again.
“When it all opened back up we were gonna surprise him with a band and everything,” said Kane.
