Obituary of James A. Bush

James “Jim” Arthur Bush, son of Elizabeth Bush and the late Warren Bush, passed away peacefully in his home on 05/11/24 with his loving wife of 35 years by his side, after a near 3-year courageous bout with stage four colon cancer.  He was born and raised in Totowa and later lived in Wayne, but he was always a Totowa boy at heart.  Jim was a born-again Christian (non-denomination) and a member of Calvary Temple International (CTI of Wayne).  He was a member of the Majestic White Tail Rod & Gun Club of Wantage, the National Wild Turkey Association, Tunnel to Towers, National Rifle Association, Wayne Regular Republican Organization, and Local PBA.  Jim loved to play horseshoes at the Barnyard, hunting, fishing, cornhole, wrestling, baseball and football.  He was an avid traveler of the US National Parks, Jersey shore(s), the Carolina’s, family road trips, hunting and fishing trips to the West, Midwest and Southern states.

As a child, Jim was naturally drawn to the outdoors. His mother would see him in his bedroom making his own fishing flies on his workbench. His father would drive him to the woods early in the morning so that Jim could climb a tree to hunt from. His family would drive their ice cream truck, “The Bonanza Wagon”, around different neighborhoods to serve the kids ice cream. In college, Jim decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at Trenton State University.

Jim started his career in 1979 with the Totowa Police Department as a patrol officer, later transferring to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office in 81’ as an undercover Detective assigned to their Narcotics Unit. March of 85’, his squad was personally responsible for the seizure of 200 lbs. of cocaine (approximate $100 million street value at the time) from a stash house backed by Escobar, which was the largest single narcotics seizure at the time in the tri-state area. He rose through the ranks eventually being promoted to Captain of the Narcotics Unit. He was later transferred to the Organized Crime Unit in 92’, still voluntarily partaking in undercover assignments. 

Lastly, he was promoted to Deputy Chief of County Detectives in 2001, and subsequently reassigned post 9/11 to spearhead an Anti-Terrorism Task Force based out of the Garret Mountain FBI field office. He and his partner/close confidant, FBI Special Agent Bob Bukowski, followed up leads and personally went after those who assisted the 9/11 hijackers. Key information obtained by him and Bob directly lead to the eventual demise of 9/11 mastermind, Anwar al-Awlaki. He ultimately retired in 2008 after 29 years of faithful service, and spent his retirement fishing and going on hunting trips with his sons, daughter and former LEO colleagues. Jim enjoyed working as an armed security guard at Passaic Valley High School, his alma mater (class of 75’), and mentoring the students there.

He is not only the proud son of a WW2 Navy combat vet, but also a proud father of HCFR Fire Fighter/Paramedic (Blair Bush, 40), Iraq/Afghanistan 10th Mountain Division Infantry Combat Vet (Lionel Torres-Bush, 39), HCSO Deputy Sean Bush (38), Wayne NJ PD Detective Colin Bush (32), and daughter Rhiannon Bush (20), who is going into her junior year at Rider University with a concentration in Criminal Justice and Psychology. Jim was also the proud grandfather of 7 beautiful grandchildren. Also, Jim leaves behind (3) daughter-in-law’s Georgina (39), Marissa (39), Rosanna (32). His legacy lives on through all of his children, & one of his last requests was to relay to his thin blue line family to continue to be safe, and to always look out for one another in the heat of battle, on and off the field. 

Beloved husband of Luchy Bush. Loving father of Blair, Lionel, Sean, Colin and Rhiannon.  Dear grandfather of Sean Jr., Bryce, Luke, Charlie, JJ, Austin and Annabelle. Brother of Randall and Doug Bush.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd., Totowa on Thursday at 9:45 AM.  Funeral Service to follow at Calvary Temple International, Wayne at 10:30 AM. Cremation is private at the request of the family.  Friends may visit Wednesday 4-8 PM.  In lieu of flowers donations to, Calvary Temple International and/or Tunnel to Towers Foundation would be appreciated.