OBITUARY OF HARRISON O. BUSH, JR.

Harrison Oney Bush, Jr., died peacefully at home on June 28, 2025, with family at his side. Born January 13, 1926, he was the son of Harrison O. Bush, Sr., and Mary Allen Bush, a direct descendant of Jacob Sloat, founder of Sloatsburg. Harrison was predeceased by his wife, Gretel; his brother, William; and his daughter, Elizabeth. He is survived by his son, Peter Bush (Dennis Trotter), and niece, Debbie H. Quigley (Edward), of Coronado, CA, and several cousins across the country.

As a youth, Harrison was active in St. Francis Episcopal Church, a member of St. Vincent’s Guild, Boy Scout Troop 26, a Junior Rotarian, and a SHS track athlete. He was 8th-grade valedictorian. Harrison graduated from Suffern High School in 1944 and soon after served in the army during World War II, 330th Regiment, 83rd Infantry, where he attained the rank of Sergeant, receiving a Purple Heart. Harrison attended 4 years at Trinity College, Hartford, CT, where his major was History, minor English. He earned a BA and was accepted to Yale, ultimately graduating from Columbia University with a Master’s Degree in Colonial History Progressive Era. He was a member of Delta Phi Fraternity. His teaching career started at the Watkinson School, Hartford, CT., teaching history and English. In recent times, Harrison fondly recounted memories of some of his favorite students at Watkinson, one of whom wrote Harrison in later years after becoming a teacher. Harrison was a well-liked teacher at Monroe-Woodbury Central High School, where he taught from 1955-1982: Economic Geography, World History, and U.S. History. Upon returning from a one-year sabbatical in 1968 at the University of Zurich, Harrison taught German. In 1956, Harrison married Gretel after meeting her at his grandmother’s homestead, The Farm, on Johnsontown Road in Sloatsburg, where he was beguiled by her “Swiss charms and Rhubarb Pie”. Harrison said, “Gretel was the best thing that ever happened to me. She was my co-worker in preparing my master’s, supporter, and mother to two wonderful children.”

Harrison continued to serve the local education community in retirement as a substitute teacher into his 90s, at various schools including Spring Valley and Suffern from 1982-2019. It is gratifying that over the decades, Harrison received many letters from former students extolling his virtues and gratitude for having him as their teacher. Over his lifetime, Harrison did many acts of kindness, known and unknown. He was an excellent and prolific letter writer until losing most of his sight in recent years. He retained a keen interest in the latest history book and theology publications, which were read to him daily. Harrison’s daily spiritual practice of prayer was always an inspiration. Harrison inherited a legacy of musicianship as a pianist and was substitute organist for several churches over the decades. His spiritual home was St. Francis Episcopal Church, Sloatsburg, built by his ancestors. The closing of the church circa 1972 was a deep emotional wound for Harrison and family members.

Harrison served as a three-term Village Trustee and was involved in developing early youth recreation programs in Sloatsburg. He was active as a church board trustee and Sunday School Superintendent for decades. He was an active member of the Sloatsburg Historical Society, and he was Sloatsburg Village Historian up to the time of his death. Harrison was renowned for his ability to remember people, dates, and important details of local historical figures, friends, and family. He served on the Rockland County Preservation Board, and in 2004, he and his son Peter were instrumental in founding the nonprofit Friends of Harmony Hall-Jacob Sloat House preservation/restoration. This 1848 homestead of Harrison’s Great, Great Grandfather, Jacob Sloat, was in imminent threat of being torn down, as so many historic houses have been in Rockland County. Harrison was the first President of the FOHH. He continued his impactful and dedicated service to the board in 2025. He was responsible for helping produce many successful lectures and programs at the site. He provided an ongoing historical narrative and information for not only the board but also out-of-area residents seeking information on their family genealogy. Harrison will be remembered as an exceptional man and member of the truly greatest generation.

OBITUARY OF HARRISON O. BUSH, JR.