James Joseph Rush

James Joseph Rush, 81, of New Cumberland, PA, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2025, at Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill. Born on September 19, 1944, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, he was the son of the late James and Ellen (Barnes) Rush.

Jim came to America through New York before his 18th birthday with a single goal in mind: to serve his country. On the day he turned 18, he walked into a Navy recruiting office and enlisted. Through persistence and repeated requests, he earned a promotion into Damage Control—a role he took great pride in. Jim often credited the Navy with instilling in him the discipline, work ethic, and training that ensured he was never without a job for the rest of his life. From that point forward, Jim simply never stopped.

Following his service, Jim married Molly and moved to Missouri, where he owned and operated a gas station. Life eventually brought him back to New York, where he secured a position as a Maintenance Supervisor. Even outside of work, Jim stayed busy. As the father of nine children—six of them boys—he spent countless hours coaching Little League baseball. As his sons grew older, he brought them into adult leagues, creating a new chapter of memories and time shared.

While working multiple jobs and raising a large family, Jim felt called to serve in another way. He enrolled at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York, and after completing his studies, he was ordained a Roman Catholic Deacon in 1979 by Servant of God, Cardinal Terence Cooke.

Keeping fit was Jim’s lifelong passion, spending countless hours in the gym. He once competed in a bodybuilding competition alongside his son, Jim, and later—at age 60—returned to competition and won the “Over 60” category. Even at 81 years old, Jim was still going to the gym regularly, often hitching a ride with his son-in-law, Eddie, and he still leg pressed over 240 pounds—just ask his spotter, his son, Jim.

Surviving Jim is his wife of 24 years, Marcia (McDermott) Rush; his children, Ellen Diaz (Eddie), James Rush (Robyn), Julia Ehring, Steven Rush (Leomarys), Anthony Rush (Jennifer), Paul Rush (Jill), Tara Holness, and Kevin Rush (Sonia); 22 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren (with 2 more on the way); and siblings, Margaret “Maggie” Caputo and Eleanor “Elli” Morgan-Jennings.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife and the mother of his children, Molly (McKnight) Rush; his son, Daniel David Rush; his siblings, Christopher Rush, Mary Thomas and Anthony “Tony” Rush; his grandchildren, Mark Christopher Holness and Haley Alexis Norkus; and sons-in-law, Richard Ehring and Mark Conrad Holness.

You may get the impression already, but Jim felt uncomfortable not being busy. While living in South Carolina, he decided to get his high school diploma, so he took an online course from James Madison High School in Atlanta, GA.

Prior to his passing, Jim was working at the Hilton Garden Inn in Hummelstown. He simply could not stop working—he loved the job and the people, who were always so good to him.

A public viewing will be held from 4–6PM on Monday the 19th of January, 2026, at Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services, New Cumberland. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10AM on Tuesday the 20th of January at St. Theresa Catholic Church, New Cumberland, with interment at 12:30PM that afternoon in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. A luncheon will follow at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, New Cumberland.