Pastor Ruben L. Bush, Sr., age 86, of Danbury, went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 19, 2010 at Danbury Hospital following a brief hospital stay. Pastor Bush was born in Greenwood, Mississippi, March 11, 1924, son of the late Johnny Bell and Mary Ella (Speed) Bush. Reverend Bush moved to Danbury in 1943 and was united in marriage to Annette Davis on April 20, 1945. His enterprising spirit led him to start his own business, Bush Sanitation Service. His subsequent employments included Ellis Fur Factory, Danbury Rubber Company and Gilbert & Bennett Co. He was a graduate of the Connecticut School of Christian Religion. His devotion to improving the community and impacting the lives of others was evident by his membership on the City of Danbury Fair Rent Commission and the Board of Directors for the Interfaith Early Learning Center. Community honors included receiving a NAACP Award, the Key to the City in 2007 from Mayor Mark D. Boughton and the Slow Joe and Mike Nice Award in 2008 for being a role model in the community. Following his calling, he was ordained into the ministry in 1978. He was a devoted and long-time member of the New Hope Baptist Church where he served on the Deacon, Usher and Trustee Boards and held the Office of President of the Senior Choir. In 1985, Rev. Bush and his wife Annette founded Trinity Christian Tabernacle Church, located on 91 Elm Street where he continued to remain as Pastor, until his passing. He is survived by his wife, Annette; his ten children Ruthie Bush Mathews of West Hartford, Barbara Bush (Rodney) McCloud of Washington, DC, Ruben L. (Dorothy) Bush, Jr. of South Windsor, Charles Bush of Forth Washington, Md., Janette Bush (David) Smith of Coventry, Evelyn Bush of Silver Springs, MD, Juanita Bush Harris of Danbury, Kenneth (Mary) Bush of West Haven, Pastors Wanda Bush (Meredith) Payton of Danbury, Lisa Bush Davis of Glastonbury; nineteen grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; a brother, Jerry (Mamie) Bush and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was predeceased in death by brothers, Charlie and William; sisters, Mary Jane, Mary and Clara. His love, kindness and devotion to others will be greatly missed by his family, community, church and friends. He will always be remembered by his favorite saying, "I love you and there is nothing you can do about it!" Funeral services for Pastor Bush will take place on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the New Hope Baptist Church, 22 Aaron Samuels Blvd., Danbury. Burial will follow in Wooster Cemetery, Danbury. The family will receive friends at the New Hope Baptist Church on Monday, April 26, 2010 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesday after 10 a.m. A Memorial Scholarship is being established in the name of Pastor Ruben L. Bush, Sr. Contributions may be sent to the HORD Foundation Inc., Pastor Bush Fund, Post Office Box 4671, Danbury, CT 06813. Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9-11 Granville Ave., Danbury is in charge of arrangements.

Published in News Times from April 21 to April 24, 2010