NICHOLAS J BUSH FUNERAL HOME - Key Persons

John J. Hedrington, 91, of Rome, passed away on Friday January 26, 2024, at Betsy Ross Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, with his loving family by his side. He was born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, on December 29, 1932, son of the late John and Elsie Brown Hedrington. On February 12, 1955 he married, Vinzetta Manuele, in St. John the Baptist Church, a blessed union of sixty nine years. John retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1971 after serving for twenty years. He was a former employee of Revere Copper and Brass and Mohawk Correctional Facility. John was a member of St. John the Baptist Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister. Before and after retirement he and Vinnie enjoyed going out to eat, attending movies, and attending as many of their children's, grandchildren's, and great grandchildren's sporting and cultural events. They also went on several bus trips, including venturing to Nashville, New York City, and Branson, Missouri. Family get togethers were a mainstay of John and Vinnie's lives. Visiting family in Wisconsin was also a very special time for both of them. An avid Green Bay Packers fan, John enjoyed living and reliving the highlights of each and every game, win or lose, with family members. Everyone would recognize their yard by the swing out front that they sat in regularly and by the decorations they would have out for every holiday. Surviving besides his wife, Vinnie, are their children, Sue Rabe (Mark), John Hedrington (Jodi), Tina Giardino, Kathy Jones, and Ann Pohl (Alan), fourteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers Earl, Charles, Arthur, and Dayton, and sisters, Ida and Johanna. John was a gentle man in every sense of the word. He was kind, generous, positive and full of love. He was a devoted and loving husband. He married his best friend and loved his wife with his entire being. He held her hand in his, everywhere they went and they shared a love that few will ever experience. He was also a very patient and thoughtful father who was adored and deeply loved by his children. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick St., Rome, NY, with the Rev. Robert Kelly officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at church, prior to the Funeral Mass. At the conclusion of Mass, Military Honors will be rendered for John. There are no calling hours. Spring Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in John's name to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011, or online at alz.org/get-involved-now/donate, or to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or online at cancer.org/donate.

Job Titles:

• Funeral Director and Licensed Manager

Nick is president of the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., and serves as the licensed manager. A lifelong resident of Rome, he graduated from the Manlius Military School, Manlius, N.Y., attended St. Michael's College, Colchester, VT., and graduated from Simmons School of Mortuary Science, Syracuse, N.Y. Nick is a member of St. John the Baptist Church, where he has served as former president of St. John's Men's Holy Name Society, Rome Kiwanis Club, where he served on the Board of Directors for many years, a former Board of Directors member of Hospice Care, Inc. Nick is a member of Tri-County Funeral Directors Association, where he serves on its Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus Rome Council, Toccolana Club and Galliano Club. Nick and his wife Joanne live in Rome. They have a daughter and son-in-law, Laura Bush Jenkins and her husband Mark Jenkins and a son Nicholas M. Bush. They are grandparents to Theodore S. Jenkins, William M. Jenkins and Sarah J. Jenkins.

Rev. John M. Wood The Rev. John M. Wood , 89, former Parochial Vicar at St. John the Baptist Church, Rome, died on Sunday October 29, 2006 at St. Johns Rectory. He was born in Syracuse on November 6, 1916, the son of John Marshall and Ann Wood Wood. A graduate of Cathedral High School in Syracuse, he earned a degree from Niagara University in 1939. He served with the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II, obtaining the rank of Lance Corporal. After the war, he was employed with US Hoffman Company in Syracuse, and then worked as a substitute teacher for the Syracuse School District. Father Wood later earned a Masters of Education degree from Syracuse University in 1955 and worked as an English teacher in Syracuse, having taught at Roosevelt, Clary and Lincoln schools. He later served as vice principal and principal in the Syracuse School District. He retired from his career in education in the late 1970s after 25 years of service. Always a devoutly religious man, soon after his retirement Father Wood was approached by Bishop Thomas J. Costello, who suggested that he consider entering the priesthood. He attended Sacred Heart School of Theology, Hales Corner, Wisconsin, earning a Master of Divinity degree in 1983 at the age of 67. Father Wood was ordained to the priesthood on the 14th of May, 1983, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Syracuse, by the Most Reverend Frank J. Harrison. After serving briefly at Immaculate Conception Church in Fayetteville, Father Wood came to serve St. John the Baptist Church in 1984.His compassion and caring, while visiting the sick and elderly, was greatly appreciated by the members of his parish. Throughout his time at St. John's Church, he was moderator for the Parish Marian Guild, as well as the city wide Nocturnal Adoration Society. Music was a great love of Father Wood's from an early age. He was given a set of drum sticks at age two, and began drumming on the floor as his father played the piano. He received a full set of drums at age five, and soon after had the opportunity to meet and play along with John Philip Sousa when the famous military band leader and composer made an appearance in Syracuse. A photo of young Father Wood sitting on Sousa's knee was published in the Syracuse newspaper, and he was known after that as "Syracuse's Little Drummer Boy." Father Wood also excelled in sports, playing on the baseball and basketball teams in high school. At Niagara University he continued playing basketball along with teammate William A. Valentine, former mayor of Rome. In his later years, Father Wood greatly enjoyed playing golf. Survivors include, nieces, Judith Wood and Maureen Wood; great nieces and a great nephew, Jeane Katherine Humbrecht, Steven Humbrecht, and Erin Wood: and several cousins. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Robert Wood, who died in 1990. Many thanks to CareGivers and Hospice and all those who made it possible for Father Wood to remain with his Parish family throughout his illness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Syracuse, with the Most Reverend Bishop Thomas J. Costello as homilist on Friday, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in St. Marys Cemetery, Dewitt. Father will lie in state at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick St., Rome, on Thursday from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. until the Votive Mass of Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest at 7:00 p.m. with the Rev. John F. Hogan Jr. as the main celebrant and homilist. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Church Memorial Fund. Arrangements are by the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St., Rome. A Memorial Tree was planted for Rev. John

Ryan P. Murphy, 29, of Rome, passed away unexpectedly at home on Tuesday January 23, 2024. He was born in New Hartford, N.Y. on September 2, 1994, and graduated from Westmoreland High School in 2012. He was the proprietor of "Come and Get It" Food Truck, which operated at Seven Hamlets Brewing Co., in Westmoreland, where he created many delicious dishes that he served to thousands of people in a unique environment alongside his friends Dustin and Izzy. Together they made a lasting impact on their customers, who were like family to Ryan. With his charismatic and charming personality, he demonstrated his love for making people happy through his culinary creations. Ryan was loved by many friends and family, who called him by various nicknames: "Little Buddy", "Ry Guy", "Peck's Bad'Boy", "Bubba", "Speed Bump", and "RPM." Most of all, he enjoyed being "Uncle Ryan" to his nephews and nieces. He was a loving and kind person who lit up a room with his soulful antics, including car karaoke and snap chat stories, and was loved beyond measure by everyone around him. Survivors include his parents, Robert and Susan Vito Murphy of Rome and Colleen Dolhun of Chittenango; siblings, Cory Murphy, Charissa (Matthew) Taylor, Erin (Keith) Richards, Emily Murphy (his "twin"), and Tina Leonard; nephews, Liam and Mason Murphy, Zachary and Francis Taylor; nieces, Sophia Taylor, Alice and Adaline Richards; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Because Ryan was a proud Westmoreland High School alumnus and loyal to his community, and in lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions in Ryan's name to Westmoreland Central School District PTO, 5176 State Route 233, PO Box 430, Westmoreland, N.Y. 13490. A Celebration of Ryan's life will be held on Sunday January 28, 2024 at 4:00 p.m, at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd. Rome, N.Y. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. prior to the service.