Francis Leonard "Bud" Rushton

Francis Leonard “Bud” Rushton Francis Leonard Rushton, “Bud” to all of his family and friends, passed away at his home in Spring Lake Heights on March 2, 2021, with family at his side. Bud was born in the family home in Avon-By-The-Sea, New Jersey on June 5, 1923, along with his older sister Marge. For every one of his 97 years, he was a proud resident of the Jersey Shore. His only extended time away was when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a waist gunner on a B-17 Bomber in Deopham Green, England during World War II. Bud graduated from Asbury Park High School and after returning from the war, worked at various jobs, including Stewart’s Root Beer Shop(his family all love that picture) before following his father at Frequency Engineering Labs, where he retired after 30 years. After retirement, he and his wife, Betty, travelled extensively around the United States, visiting family and friends from the Atlantic to the Pacific and all stops in between. Bud was an active member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church where he served in multiple roles including as an usher, treasurer and member of the United Methodist Men. To remember Bud is to remember a man who brought happiness to all he met. He would start most of his stories with, “You know my buddy down at the…hardware store, drug store, church, Dunkin’, Doctor’s office”…you get the idea of how Bud lived his life. People were friends, not strangers. Bud met and married his wife Betty, a school teacher in Spring Lake Heights, in 1974 and they were married 47 years. They raised their two sons, Todd and Tom in Spring Lake Heights. They are blessed with two daughters-in law, Karmen and Kimberly. They are also proud grandparents of five grandchildren; James, Zachary, Maddy, Rob and Kathryn and their spouses, Nayara, Madison and Jordan. The services are being held at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Spring Lake, NJ on March 20, with the family visitation from 10 – 11:00 am and a " Celebration of Life" service beginning at 11:00 am. Following the service, a repast will be held at adjoining Wesley Hall. The service will be live-streamed on St. Andrew's Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: St. Andrew's United Methodist Church 907 Fourth Ave., Spring Lake, NJ 07762 or Associated Humane Society of Tinton Falls 2960 Shafto Rd., Tinton Falls, NJ 07753