LOWVILLE - Richard P. Bush, 74, life-long dairy farmer and beloved bus driver for over 50 years with Lowville Academy, died on Saturday, May 17th 2014, after being stricken at his home.

Richard was born in Lowville on May 25, 1939, the son of Ambrose M. and Alice Dauksza Bush. After graduating from Lowville Academy in 1957, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves at Fort Dix, NJ and at Pine Camp for the #479th Detachment. On February 11, 1961, he married Sandra Kelley, daughter of the late Clarence and Ruth Kelley, at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Croghan with Rev. Aquinas officiating. The couple made their home on Richard's family dairy farm as they raised their six children.

Richard formed Richard P. Bush & Sons Livestock Trucking with his sons, Joe and Benjamin and was a very active member in the community. He was an auctioneer for many auctions including the "Big Cheese" auction at the Lewis County Fair each year; he was a 4-H leader and volunteer for over fifty years; he and Sandy were hosts to the Agri-Business Days for three years; Richard received Senior Farmer Award in 1999 and received "Business Person of the Year Award" in 1995 from the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce.

Richard also enjoyed calling Bingo at St. Peter's Catholic Church. He held lifetime memberships with the Lowville Elks Club #1605; Croghan American Legion Post #1663; Order of the Eagles Club; Marine Corps League Lewis County Detachment #754; the Lowville Fish & Game Club and with the Lewis County Search & Rescue driving for many years. He was also a member of the Moose in Syracuse and the Denmark Grange.

Richard was a communicant of St. Peter's Catholic Church where a funeral mass will be said at 10:00a.m. on Friday, May 23rd with Rev. Christopher Carrara, Pastor officiating. Military burial will follow in Lowville Rural Cemetery. Family and friends may call on Thursday the 22nd from 3-7 p.m. at the Sundquist Funeral Home. Memorials in Richard P. Bush's name may be made to: St. Peter's Catholic Church or to Lewis County Search & Rescue.

Richard is survived by his wife, Sandy and their six children: Joseph P. and Linette Bush, Lowville; Yvonne M. and Tim Albertson, Beaver Falls; Wanda J. Bush-Muncy, Copenhagen; Deborah B. and Wayne Woodruff, Copenhagen; Margaret B. Halladay, Lowville and Benjamin M. Bush, Lowville; 15 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Joan McVoy, Castorland and Nancy and Charles Warren, Russellville, AK and two nieces and two nephews. He was recently predeceased by his brother-in-law Gerald McVoy.