TURNERS FALLS — Between watching the New England Patriots take down the Buffalo Bills on Sunday and turning 99 years old on Wednesday, Oct. 8, George F. Bush of Turners Falls is having a good week.
To celebrate ahead of his big day, Turners Falls High School technology and science teacher Brian Lamore, who was coached by Bush in the 1980s, and Matthew Robinson, Bush’s close friend, surprised him Tuesday night after he finished his favorite activity outside of attending every Patriots home game as a 54-year season ticket holder: supporting sports at Turners Falls High School.
Bush, affectionately known as “Mr. Bush,” was born on Oct. 8, 1926, and has been a staple within the Turners Falls community his entire life.
Bush graduated from Turners Falls High School and served in World War II in 1944 and 1945. He became a teacher at the high school, retiring in 1982 after 30 years. He was also a longtime coach at the high school, formed and coached a Little League Baseball team, and served as the Unity Park playground director for 20 years.
After all this time, Bush remains an ardent supporter of high school sports, whether by attending games or donating money to the sports programs. He is the only surviving member of the 1942 Turners Falls High School baseball team that was inducted into the Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024.
After the girls volleyball team won their match against Mahar, 3-1, Athletic Director and Dean of Students Jennifer Luciano announced there was a very special birthday to celebrate. As Bush sat with Lamore and Robinson, students, teachers, parents and coaches sang “Happy Birthday” before he enjoyed chocolate cake from BJ’s Wholesale Club.
“I never thought it would happen,” Bush said when asked how he felt to be celebrated. “I was hoping maybe I’d hit 70, but 99!”
Bush shares his secret to a long and active life: exercise. Running, walking and jogging has kept him young, and never being married, he said, is what he tells people when they ask him the same question.
This passion for sport manifests today in Bush attending the high school games with the help of his close friends, who pick him up from his home and bring him to the games. He said he’s been passionate about sports all his life, and it was “big” to see students celebrate his birthday.
“I get more enjoyment seeing them play sports. Softball and baseball and volleyball, swimming and so forth,” Bush said. “I enjoy it more than they do playing.”
“He’s our ultimate fan,” Luciano said of Bush, whom she’s known in the 20 years she’s been with the school district. “He’s always supportive of our community and our athletics program. He wants us to do well. He’s always willing to chip in, and if there’s something that needs to be donated, he’s the first to offer.”
To Luciano, celebrating Bush for his 99th birthday was “amazing.” She mentioned his strong intellect and connection to the history of Turners Falls, as well as his ability to remember the important plays made by players, or position changes, recalling one softball banquet after the girls softball team took home the state championship where Bush recalled every detail of the season in his 15-minute speech.
For the students, Luciano said Bush is like a mascot, and he’s a familiar face to them all.
“He’s been here for so long and he’s [someone] that everybody really looks to,” she said.
Both Lamore and Robinson share a special connection to Bush, as they are close friends with him, but they were also his students and players. Starting with Bush’s 90th birthday, Robinson began asking the community to send birthday cards to the high school, which are then passed along to Bush. As 99 is a special occasion, Lamore worked with his students to create a wooden “99” statue that students and staff signed for him.
“He’s been a source of continuity,” Lamore said when asked about Bush’s impact on Turners Falls, noting their relationship dates back to the 1980s when Bush was his teacher and tennis coach.
Although Bush was more eager to share his thoughts on his hopes for continued success by the Patriots this season, with the synergy of quarterback Drake Maye and wide receiver Stefon Diggs, along with his anticipation for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, there is something else he looks forward to as he enters his 99th year.
“100,” Bush said.
