RIP Tim Bushey

 My brother Tom texted me last weekend to let me know that long-time family friend Tim Bushey had passed away. I was not totally shocked but it still made me feel real sad. I have known Tim, or "Bush" as some people called him, since I was young. He and Tom were best buddies back in High School and stayed friends after graduation. I think Tim was a year or so older than Tom.

Of course, I wanted to write this BLOG post but when I went searching for photos, I did not find very many. Bush was never much of a camera hog. He liked to hunt and fish and maybe drink and eat too. I do have a few memories that I would like to share.

Back when I was in High School and into my UVM days, my brother John was great friends with the band Downpour. A few of his friends acted as roadies for the band including my brothers John and Tom, and of course Tim Bushey. I remember one time while in college, they stopped to pick me up in Burlington, and we headed to Smuggler's Notch where Downpour was playing. After a full evening of partying, we headed back to Burlington to leave me off. It was probably Two in the morning and we were somewhat drunk and hungry. and we stopped at the Howard Johnsons on I-89. Most everyone ordered breakfast food including me with Blueberry pancakes. But I ordered the Fried Clam platter too, one of my favorites at the Orange-roofed establishment. Everyone thought it was gross but everyone help me eat those clams. 

After I graduated, I moved to Florida and got my job at ENSCO. Three months after starting I went with my parents to Vermont for the wedding of my Brother John and Pepe. It was a big wedding party and I have this picture of my brother Tom and Tim as Groomsmen. The two guys behind them are George and Coop, both members of Downpour.

Here is the large wedding party. I am directly behind my brother John, and that is Bush in the front row on the right. My nephew Brandon was a ringbearer and stands in front of brother John. I should mention that I wore the Tuxedo for a day and a half before finding my parents who had my clothes. No cell phones back then.

Back in 2012 on my trip to Vermont, Bush was living in a trailer on Lake Champlain in Addison Vermont. He invited the Provoncha brothers over for a cookout. That is Bush in front of his trailer cooking with Tom and John on the porch.

The view from the porch...Lake Champlain and Crown Point across the water in New York.

Bush, Tom and John talking, probably about deer season...

My brother John in front of Lake Champlain...

Tim came to Florida a few times with Tom. I know we went to the races at least once in Daytona. As Bush got older, he wanted to move further south away from the long Vermont winters. He even came to look at Brevard County. On that trip I took him to the Bass Pro Shop in Palm Bay. Back then they were still a strong competitor with Cabela's. Tom said that Bush could not go into one of those stores without buying something, either fishing lures or hooks, or bullets or hunting gear. Sure enough, he bought a few things and we followed him to the checkout. He pulled out his Cabela's credit card. I told him they might not accept that in Bass Pro. The girl went along for a second or two but finally accepted his card.

I think Bush thought my area was too crowded for him. He finally settled in North Carolina. I was planning to visit him if I drove to Vermont. I guess now I can't. He was a great guy and fun to listen to, a true Vermonter. RIP Tim Bushey.