Father transforming grief into hope through fundraiserDate: 7/25/2023 WALES — When Joey Bush Jr. was found overdosing and near death on a sidewalk in Palmer, police revived him and he was rushed to Wing Memorial Hospital where doctors saved him. That was in early 2020. Bush was struggling with mental illness and fentanyl use.
“I don’t know how he got started with it. I think he was hanging around the wrong people, started using it and got addicted. We tried everything to help him,” said his father, Joey Sr. of Wales.
Joey Sr. thought that night in Palmer would be the worst night of his life, that things could only improve for his son.
“I thought that was the thing that scared him out of it. After that experience, I felt like his attitude had changed. He seemed happier. I thought we were on the right road. Unfortunately, we weren’t,” he said.
The last time Joey Sr. saw his son was several months later. Joey Jr. was living with his grandfather in Monson and Joey Sr. stopped by for a visit.
“I’ll never forget, it was a Thursday night. I was talking with him. We were goofing around and when I was getting ready to leave, I said ‘I love you.’ That was the last conversation I had with him,” said Joey Sr.
Later that night on the floor near the fireplace of his grandfather’s home, Joey Jr. overdosed on fentanyl again and died at the hospital. He was 23 years old. Joey Sr. wanted to be with his son while doctors fought to save him, but citing COVID-19 restrictions, the staff kept him away.
“The real horror was I couldn’t even go into the hospital. I just wonder why I couldn’t be there to hold his hand. After he passed away, they allowed me and some family members to see him. I’m trying to take that negative and turn it into a positive for somebody else,” said Joey Sr.
After marking Joey Jr.’s death with informal, annual gatherings first in a park and then at his house, Joey Sr. is doing it up big this year. He’s working with family and friends, staging an Overdose Awareness Fundraiser in Memory of Joey J. Bush Jr.
“We’re going all out. We’re reaching for the stars. I know what we’re doing isn’t going to change the world, but I truly believe we could change somebody’s world,” said Joey Sr.
He said his son talked about going to school to become a landscape designer. Joey Jr. was big, says dad, and made fun of his own belly. “He was a very giving person. He may not have had a lot in the world, but the kid would give you the shirt off his back,” said Joey Sr. “He was very polite, especially to his elders.”
Joey Sr. is hoping to raise several thousand dollars to benefit Herren Project in Rhode Island. According to a statement on the organization’s website, “Herren Project is a national nonprofit organization providing free resources and support for the treatment, recovery and prevention of substance use disorder.”
Recovery is also part of the Bush family’s plan, and the fundraiser is helping them heal.
“It makes me feel like I’m part of the solution. A lot of people don’t do things because they feel they can’t effect change. This is a problem throughout our entire country, and if you get enough people to help, you can create change. I want to do the best I can to know my son didn’t die in vain,” said Joey Sr.
The Overdose Awareness Fundraiser in Memory of Joey J. Bush Jr. is taking place Aug. 26, from 12-6 p.m. at St. Stans Polish Club in West Warren. Admission is $25 and includes a chicken barbecue and a raffle ticket. There will be family-friendly games and activities. Organizers are also raising money through business sponsorships and raffle ticket sales, including a 50-50 raffle.
For more information call 413-386-4166 or email JoeyBush48@yahoo.com.
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