Harold P. Bush

Harold P. Bush of Ringoes, NJ, died on Thursday, December 24, 2015. He was a life-long resident of Hunterdon County.

Born in Whitehouse, New Jersey on January 4, 1925, he was the son of the late Frank and Elizabeth (Bertram) Bush. A business and community leader in Hunterdon County for many years, Harold was a retired developer who built countless homes throughout the area. He was a past president of the Whitehouse Kiwanis Club, the East Hunterdon Little League, and a founding member of the board of directors of the former Town and Country Bank in Flemington. Harold served on the Clinton Township Charter Study Commission, and was a member of the Whitehouse Fire Department.

An avid sportsman and outdoorsman, Harold was president of the Hunterdon County Federation of Sportsmen and the Whitehouse Rod and Gun Club, and was additionally a member of the Stanton Rod and Gun Club, and the Copperhill Country Club.

Harold graduated from Flemington High School in 1942 and enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 during World War II. He served on three ships in the Pacific in the war. Following his military service, he married his wife, the late Dorothy Ann (Kelly) Bush in 1948. They raised their family and remained devoted to each other until the death of Mrs. Bush in 2014.

Harold was also predeceased by his sister Gloria Ambrose, also of Whitehouse. He is survived by his three children, Harold J. Bush of Flemington, Larry R. Bush, of Worcester, Massachusetts, and Melanie A. Bush, of Flemington. Harold is also survived by four grandchildren, Jessica Koch of Readington Township, Sarah Bush of Pompton Plains, Eric Bush of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Dr. Brian Bush of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and by his sister, Joan Zylstra of Whitehouse.

He keenly enjoyed fishing and deer hunting and was cherished by his fellow hunters as a crack shot and good company.

Harold was a long time communicant of St. Magdalen's Roman Catholic Church of Flemington.

"Harold Bush's life resembled many of his generation," said a friend. "He came home from the war, raised a family, and built a successful business beyond even his expectations. He worked hard, he played hard, he followed the rules, and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him.

A Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at St. Magdalen's Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington. Calling hours will be held at Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Holcombe Fisher Funeral Home at 147 Main Street in Flemington.

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718

Visit holcombefisher.com for further information or to send condolences.