Merle A. Bush
July 29, 1941 ~ January 2, 2005
Merle A. 'Bucky' Bush, 63, of Brooksville, FL, formerly of Follansbee, WV, died Sunday, January 2, 2005 from injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident in Dade City, FL. He was born July 29, 1941 in Weirton, WV, a son of Wanda Barkhurst Bush of Weirton and the late Merle L. Bush.
Bucky graduated from Weir High School in 1959 and West Virginia Northern Community College in 1974. In 1995, he retired with 36 years of service from National/Weirton Steel. When he retired, he was working as Welding Foreman. He was an avid motorcycle enthusiast; member of the Weirton Heights Memorial Baptist Church; Weirton Steel 25 Year Club; member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; longtime President of the Moto Guzzi National Owners Club WV Chapter; and was founder of the Big Country Moto Guzzi Rally which was scheduled to have it's 27th annual event this Memorial Day Weekend in New Cumberland, WV. Bucky served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1959-1963 and the Reserves until 1965.
In addition to his mother, Wanda, Bucky is survived by his son, Sean Bush and his wife Susan of Virginia Beach, VA; two daughters, Mary Ann Jeter of Steubenville, OH and Nicole Balakos and her husband Nick of Wintersville, OH; three sisters, Darla Anderson and her husband Jim of Colliers, WV, Sandra Briggs and her husband Ronnie of Weirton, and Denese White and her husband Dale of Steubenville; six grandchildren, Antasetta and Raymond Jeter, Courtney and Cheyenne Bush, and Levani and Olivia Balakos; and two step-grandchildren. Bucky is also survived by a special friend, Sammi Vozel, many extended family members and friends that were like dear family.
Friends will be received Thursday from 2-4 and 6-9 PM at Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton where funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Friday. Rev. William C. Stout will preside. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Weirton, with Military Services conducted by the V.F.W. Firing Squad and Evert Maki American Legion Post 10 Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors, c/o Great Western Bank, Building 14, Offutt Air Force Base, Bellevue, NB 68113, or Carolina Adoption Services, 301 N. Elm Street, Suite 500, Greensboro, NC 27401-2028 for the Georgian Angels fund to support the Orphanages of the Republic of Georgia, birthplace of his beloved Levani and Olivia.
Share tributes with his family at www.grecohertnick.com.
Funeral Home:
Greco Hertnick Funeral Home
3219 Main Street
Weirton, WV
US 26062
Fond Memories Buck. You’ll be missed. John & Jan
To Buck’s family, our family wishes you lots of strength to endure this difficult period with the loss of a wonderful person. Personal memories: I met Buck through my step-father Bruce Voelkle and liked him instantly. I always found him to be gentle and warm with a great sense of humor. He was someone who went his own way, but always tried to make those around him feel at ease. He was charming and he will be missed dearly. He really was one of a kind.
Godspeed Bucky. We’ll miss you.
Buck, Rest In Peace, you will be missed by many.
My deepest sympathy to the family of Buck Bush. As a fellow Guzzi enthusiast I attended several MG rallies put on by Buck. Always had a great time. He did a great job and everyone knew it. Rest in Peace.
With deepest sympathies, Bucky was a kind hearted person. I am privileged to have met him.
Godspeed, Bucky
It was truly a privelage to know and enjoy Bucky. His comments and wit were always a pickup. God Bless and enjoy the “ride home”
Buck will be Remember and missed by me and my wife. Knew him for 15 years and enjoyed everytime I had the pleasure of seeing him at the Moto Guzzi Rallies. What a Great Loss. I guess God wanted him by his side. Roberto Munoz
You will be sadly missed by us and your friends in Canada.Remembering all the good times spent together. I am sure God is riding with you.
Melissa and I send our deepest sympathies to Buck’s family. You don’t get much better than Buck. We will miss you. Melissa Menaul and Vicki
To the family we are so sorry for your loss. The motorcycles ralleys won’t be the same without Buck there.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. John and Maude
Knew Buck for 23 years, enjoyed his wonderful character grearly. He will be missed by many.
Bucky was a good friend. I enjoyed his e-mails…and laughed everytime I was around him. We camped beside each other at the Virginia 2000 National…He will be missed by many. Especially the Moto Guzzi Club. Steve and Leila Walker MGNOC Arkansas State Reps Bentonville, Arkansas
Enjoyed your company at the rallies.
My deepest sorrow and prayers to your family. He was one of the good guys and will be dearly missed by all he touched.
We will always have the special memories of the yearly Memorial Day parade through the small town of New Cumberland,WV. as one of the highlights of the Big Country West Virginia rally. May the road lead you to an endless motorcycle parade.
We have know Buck for about twenty years, we met through the Ridgerunners Motorcycle Club. He was a wonderful man and it was always a lot of fun & laughter in his company. He will be sadly missed by us and will be thought of often and in our prayers. Ride on Buck ……
We are so sorry for your loss, Bucky was a wonderful person, we got to know him & Mom from the State Line Resturant. We always E-Mailed each other. We are going to miss him alot. But just remember he is in a better place & with all the rest of the family.
We met Bucky at a biker rally in West Virgina and again at the Welland County Motorcycle Club in Canada about 4 years ago. Gloria and I became good friends with Bucky and he stayed and travelled with us to the Port Dover Friday the 13th party in 2002. We did stay in contact and he will be missed. We can console ourselves by knowing he is being well taken of in a better place.
Goodbye old friend. I hope that the Guzzi Gods are with you. May we meet sometime in the future. God speed. Jack and Joan Arnold
Bucky hosted the first Guzzi rally we ever attended and had a lot to do with us returning. We’ll remember the laughs and the easy friendship for anybody that didn’t take things too seriously. We’ll miss you Bucky.
Bucky and I were both welders at WSX Condolences to his family. Ernest “Red” and Mary Freeland
Just one hr. before this accident, I was joking with him how he would go over our little bridge, and not make it, he would end up backwards on his three wheel bike with head in laundry basket. He was a fun person, could always make you laugh. However he was a helpful person, would do manual labor if you were un-able to do it your self, he was helpful in many ways, including calling our camp ground Bingo if neeeded. He was kind considerate and help out were ever needed, He will be missed by all of us at Frontier. Bucky rest in peace, no your family will be with you some day and we pray your will , will be done, and youe memory cherrished by all. God save you, prayers and Love go out to you and your Family.
My deepest sympathies to Mary Ann, Sean, Nikki and the rest of the family. May God be with you all in your time of sorrow. Know we are all thinking of you.
Your laughter around the fire will be missed.
I’ll miss your joking and sarcasm, Buck, and those Sunday rides for breakfast we used to take. My heartfelt condolences to Buck’s family.
Wanda and Family So sorry to hear about Buck. Due to the flooding I won’t be coming to the funeral but wanted to send my love and prayers to you. God Bless. Buck will be missed at the family reunions. Love, Carolyn Sue (Bush) Binegar
The National Moto Guzzi Owners Club is going to be a dull place without you Buck. I’m proud and honored to have know you. Godspeed “Maynard” WI.MGNOC
Who will we tease next. So many great memories that will stay in our hearts forever. You will be missed. Condolences to family and friends. Loved him for his great character and wit.
Family and Friends, Sorry to hear about the loss of Bucky. You all have my condolences. Dave Kasitz – Kansas MGNOC state rep – Newton Kansas.
Godspeed Bucky, You will be missed by all.
They broke the mold after Buck was made, there’ll never been another Bucky. I had known Buck for nearly three decades. He was good for Guzzi, and his Guzzi friends will miss him greatly. Frank Wedge
I sorry that I never had the pleasure of meeting Bucky Bush. By reading the many accounts that other Moto Guzzi members have written, he was one of the good guys, and I would have known this if I had ever had the opportunity to meet him. My condolences to all. Jack Green
While I never had the honor of meeting Bucky in person, I feel like a lesser of a person because I of it. However, I feel priviledged to have talked to him on the phone for 30 minutes on 1 occasion. My thoughts are with you Bucky and your family. God speed. Luap McKeever Webmaster – Moto Guzzi National Owners Club
Our deepest sympathy to Bucky’s family. We will miss him dearly and share in your loss.
I was fortunate enough to meet Bucky at the 2003 and 2004 Virginia Moto Guzzi Rally. He is a friend that I will miss for his knowledge and humor. His family have my deepest sympathy for their loss.
Sorry to hear of your loss, I’ve known you guys since I can remember and our Love and Prayers are with you.
Buck, Thanks for teaching me about rallies, Guzzies and the importance of a sense of humor….I will pass on to all your special wit.
It was with great sadness when I learned of Bucky’s untimely death. I was looking forward to meeting him at his National Rally. God’s Speed Bucky. My condolences to the family. Tom Halchuk
First met Buck at Oklahoma rally and in ’83 helped us (bro Charles, myself & wives) make connections with Eish on our purchase of new Calif II’s. Was a great host and turned out to be a great friend. Our paths crossed at different places all over this great country of ours and everytime was always full of life and a pleasure to be around. Put together a GREAT rally in New Cumberland. He will be missed by all of us in the MGNOC. May God Bless you all and give you strength during this time of sorrow. Wally Bishop, former Help/Help – Tips editor.
My condolences to Bucky’s family. I’m just one of the 1000’s of acquaitances that Bucky had made over the years. The Big Country Rally was the first rally I ever attended. I have ridden a Moto Guzzi since 1987, and like Bucky, probably always will. Bucky will be alive in the memories of many for a long time.
Buck was often called a “character” because of his great sense of humor, i suppose. he had a way of making anyone feel at ease and welcome. he could tell some amazing stories, and loved to make you laugh. one of the highlights of spring was finally getting together with this guy again. he had many friends who will miss him very much.
Our deepest regrets for your untimely loss.I have not missed a W.V. Rally since the first one I attended in 1987 and we both had planned to attend this year,as usual.This will be a tough one, saying goodby to the rally and to Buck.It is our duty to make it a celebration of a life well lived and so we shall.May your faith bring you peace Greg & Mary Locke
Bucky was my beloved brother. He was the free spirit I have always longed to be. I cannot believe he is gone. But I know he went EXACTLY how he wished. I will always love him. Until we meet again Buckaroo. Love , Your Sister, Denese
Bucky was my dear brother, a kind heart who never forgot his sisters, a wonderful son to our Mother, a dear Pappy to his grandchildren and a great loss to his children and friends. He is loved and missed by all.
Bucky’s “Big Country Rally” was the first Moto Guzzi rally we attended many years ago. It brought us back again and again, with many of our friends joining in the adventure. We will miss Bucky this year, but will remember him always. Billy & Rose Regent Riders M/C
We haven’t been to one of the rallies in a while, but we certainly remember the ones we did attend. One year our tent was next to Buck’s which was conveniently facing backwards for convenient midnight relief! His smiling face will certainly be missed by many of us up here in New England. We remember when he attended a rally up our way, and lent his jacket and helmet to me to test ride his new Guzzi. As I was about to leave, he ran over and took out a small gun from the inside pocket of his jacket! He laughed and said, you really don’t need this… but there’s no bullets in it anyway! Our condolences to all his children. He certainly was one of a kind. He always made us feel welcome whenever we saw him. Paul and Lois Lodola Past Presidents New England Moto Guzzi Club
Very sorry to hear about bucky. My condolences to his family. He has left me with a lots of memory’s from the rally that I went to and the ones that he attended of ours in the north east. I still have the plaqes that I won from his rally, the longest miles s/car and the high mileage guzzi. I changed bikes so I was not riding my guzzi for main bike. But two days before I heard about bucky I said to my son would you like to go W Va rally this year? The last one and said he maybe. Still planning to go.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you — very sorry for your loss. Grief can’t be hurried but it can be shared. Please find comfort with family and friends — there are many in the MGNOC.
Buck had a love for Moto Guzzi motor cycles for as long as my husband and I have known him. He supported the Moto Guzzi club with all that he did. He was a fun loving club member that will be greatly missed.
Deamn! He will be missed!! But I KNOW he’s off to better things. Ask me how I know sometime. PFL, Carl
I just found of Bucky’s passing in the current issue of the MGNOC News. My sympathy to his immediate and extended families (which includes all of us.) His was the first Guzzi rally my boys (then 6 and 8 y.o.) and I attended. We were made to feel part of the family and the boys had 100+ uncles and aunts watching over them. I didn’t know Bucky well but his passing leaves a gap in all our lives here on earth.
Buck was a dear and old friend of ours that we have rode with and attended rallies together. We always enjoyed seeing Buck and sharing stoies with each other. We were shocked at his untimely death and will surely miss him very much. We wish him God’s speed and our condolences to his family. “Coke and Bunnie”
Bucky i have not been able to write a note until know,we niss you so much.Scott and i will never be able to forget the day of the accident, it was our last ride and it is on our mind every minute of the day.We miss having you call every morning saying this is 21 calling 62 you going to breakfast? We expect you to walk in the door anytime .You was like a brother to me,and i know when it is my time to go you will be waiting for me with that smile on you’re face .We loved you and we miss you so much.It will be hard to have a friend as close as we was.Until we meet again Buck,we love you and miss you so much . Love You ,Bob, Shirley & Scott Tyler
Hes the finest guy i met in the rallies in Big Country and there were many.Genuine smile,excellent host- I always love the rally on the river- my ambo is chomping at the bit for Big Country 2005. see you soon.
I first met Buck in June 1983 in Sylvan Grove, Kansas at the MGNOC National Rally and again several times at various other rallies. I will always remember Buck as having one of the biggest laughs and the loudest snores of anyone I’ve ever met. He was an original and will be sadly missed. My condolences to his family and friends for their loss.
I attended the West Virginia Rally about 1986 and remember Bucky and Jan very well. Bucky had the huge travel trunk on his Guzzi. He did so much for motorcycling and his passing is a huge loss to all of us.
Dear Bucky, I never knew you but I ride and like you I ride a Moto Guzzi. I know your still here in spirit and if you have time Bucky please ride with me when I go out on the road. It is so dangerous out there but like you, I love the sound of the twin and the sense of freedom. I know your with us all in spirit and inside I miss you even though I never knew you physically. May you be in joy with those who have departed before you from earth and and I know the legendary twin called Moto Guzzi will be with you forever. I ride with you forever. Basil
For 28 years you were a great friend. A lot of laughs, beers and tears. We all miss you Buck especially me.