Charles Joseph Bushway

With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of Charles Bushway on December 8th 2023 at the age of 89 from years of hard work, tired body filled with lots of love. Charles was born March 4th 1934 to Charles Joseph Bushway Sr. and Ruth Elizabeth Janet Arnott Bushway in Detroit Michigan. Raised in a Detroit suburbs with his older brother William Andrew (Patrica Sperling) Bushway and older sister Jacqueline Phyllis Austin. Charles (Chuck) proudly served in the Army in the 82nd Airborne Division, the 325 Airborne Infantry Regiment. He served from 1954-1955. He made 21 jumps with lots of stories to go with them. In 1960 he met and married Rose Marie Volway, Together they built a house in Livonia, Michigan and began to raise 4 children. Moving to Chelsea, Michigan later as the children grew to adults. Chuck was known for his great smile and his blue-gray eyes, welcoming personality and firm handshake, everyone was a friend. He was a humble man with a positive personality, strong ethics and a passion for life. Chuck loved his sports. It didn’t matter what sport or who was playing, he was watching. Of course he was a diehard Lions fan, with yearly season ticket and the Detroit Tiger were a must watch. You’d often find him spending time with his sons and grandsons watching a game or two on TV. Always with a cheese and cracker plate and a whiskey and water in hand, with olives of course, but a beer and goldfish would do just fine. Chuck loved his golf and after retirement would enjoy his Snowbird months in Florida playing with his best buddy Bob. Vacation time was camping. His parents started him, as a toddler in a tent and he graduated to trailers after he married. Rather he was on the lake, in the lake or looking at the lake he was in haven, he would never ask for more, well, maybe a hike or two he would drag his kids on. He passed that passion onto his family, enjoying many years of family and friend camping trips. Above all Charles was a family man. His family came first. He spoiled his wife, Rose and was so proud of his children. He was at every football, baseball, volleyball, softball, and basketball game. Even at games that his daughters were cheerleading for. He was always the in the stands cheering the loudest, even if it was in a three-piece suit, coming right from work. Everyone knew when Chuck was at the game. After retiring, when he was in town, he would continue this support with attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. Even in his older years he was known for riding in the golf cart, when permitted, watching his son and grandson on the course. The family knew they could count on Charles, as his mom called him, Dad, as his kids called him and Chuck or Chas as so many friends called him. He was always there with a strong hand to help, advice that you were seeking or just a listening ear, a smiling face and a “great job”. After retirement Chuck built Roses dream home in Baxter, Tennessee, where they lived for 17 year before moving back to Michigan in 2019 to be with family. There was a lot of traveling to and from Tennessee visiting for holidays, summers, graduations and weddings. They also spent several winter months in Delray Beach, Florida as Snowbirds. Charles is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, sister-in-law and sister, two sons-in-law, Jeffrey Leonard and Mark Halloway and his oldest child Andrew Thomas (Pam) Bushway. He has left behind a wife of 63 years, Rose Marie, daughters Kellie (Brian) Bagnick, Sandra Leonard-Halloway, son David (Claudine) Bushway and daughter-in–law, Pamela Bushway. He was a grandpa to 10 grandchildren, in birth order: Kursten, Michael (Sarah), Krista, Konner, Alexandra, Jackson, Melanie, Stephen, Samantha and Jaycob, also a great grandpa to four, Lincoln, Asher, Vincent and Aislyn. Charles will be dearly missed, the life lessons he shared, we hope will never be forgotten. He has left such a legacy for us to always carry in our hearts. There is a tribute of his life held on Friday, July 12th 2024, at O’Brien-Sullivan Funeral Home in Novi Michigan from 5-8pm. Come join us for stories and memories, of a man that we were truly blessed to have in our lives. Everyone is welcome to share memories of Charles at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to See Me Home Senior Dog Sanctuary

Charles Joseph Bushway

March 4, 1934 - December 8, 2023