Edward Bushnell Jr.

Old Saybrook — Edward C. Bushnell Jr., 93, born Jan. 6, 1925, of Old Saybrook, passed peacefully at home with family on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018.

Edward was a lifelong resident of Old Saybrook where he and his predeceased wife, Delancey, raised their three boys, Coleman, Steven and Edward Anson. His dedication to the town was evidenced in the family’s combined 118 years of service with the Old Saybrook Fire Co. #1 where Edward served as chief of the department from 1971 to 1973. His predeceased father, Edward Sr., was a charter member of the fire department and son, Coleman, served as fire chief and fire marshal.

A decorated veteran of World War II, Edward joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. in 1943, leaving Saybrook High prior to graduation, where his predeceased mother Elizabeth accepted his diploma. He would achieve the rank of lieutenant. Serving in the Pacific Theater he flew 35 missions with the 29th Bomb Group, 314th Bomb Wing, under Gen. Curtis LeMay. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for a mission over Japan where his B-29 Superfortress, named “Nipponese” experienced heavy damage, completing the mission on only two of four engines. Later Edward would re-enlist for the Korean War in 1951 flying a propeller-driven B-25 bomber converted for night reconnaissance with the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. This would include 53 missions. Here he flew against MiG fighter jets in the infamous “MiG Alley.” He recounted years later the MiGs could not fly slow enough to impact the missions of the B-25s. Other medals/awards for his military service included: the Air Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Korean Service Medal.

Ed was an accomplished high school athlete playing guard on the 1942 Saybrook High basketball team, which won the town’s first high school championship in 1942. Joys experienced by Edward were watching his eight grandchildren, six of whom graduated from Saybrook High and went on to become successful in fields of education, health care and law, and two other grandchildren who graduated from Cromwell High. He took great solace being an usher at St. John’s Church which gave him peace. In later life he enjoyed traveling with his companion Helen Fillmore to Italy, Alaska and the hot air balloon festival in Arizona.

Edward’s family included his three sons, Coleman Bushnell and wife, Eileen, of Old Saybrook and Steven Bushnell and wife, Gretchen, of Old Saybrook. Edward was predeceased by his son, Edward Anson Bushnell of Old Saybrook; and his sister, Mary Bushnell Connolly. He was also predeceased by his loving wife, Delancey Maynard Bushnell; and his first wife, Joan Granger of Westbrook.

Edward also leaves his grandchildren, Thomas Bushnell and his wife, Courtney, of Old Lyme, Mary Lynch and her husband, Mac, of Pittsburgh, Pa., Steven Bushnell of New York City and John Bushnell and his wife, Allison, of Duxbury, Vt. Also, Erin Pumerantz of Old Saybrook and Cailin Marshall and husband, Drew, of Old Saybrook, along with Emma Nelson and Conner Nelson of Cromwell. He also had the pleasure of enjoying his eight great-grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews and countless friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, at St. John’s Church, 161 Main St., Old Saybrook, followed by interment in the Riverside Cemetery on Sheffield Street with the rendering of full fire department honors and military honors. This date was chosen by his sons to honor his military service as Veterans Day is celebrated during the weekend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Edward’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 666758517, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

To share a memory of Edward or send a condolence to his family please visit www. rwwfh.com.

Arrangements by the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.