DAVID JENKS RUSHFORTH

RUSHFORTH, David Jenks M.D. DJR, M.D. fulfilled so many roles. Loving and devoted husband to Jan for 42 years, amazing and selfless father to "little Dave" and Mandy, and his favorite role "Bumpa" to Ellie, Andrew and Hailey. Dave took enormous pleasure from the simple things in life whether it was showing his grandchildren the seashells in Captiva, tending to his magnificent flower garden, or lending a friend a helping hand. (Dave's little blue truck with the roll-down windows was famously available for whoever needed it. Parked at the Jordan with the keys in the ignition.) Always a sharp dresser, Dave could be spotted in his favorite khakis and blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up over his Popeye-esque forearms no matter the occasion. He woke those in his home with the aroma of fresh coffee and turkey-bacon. No tower of oysters was too tall for Dave and daughter-in-law Stephanie to handle. Jan's top "task man," Dave delivered Christmas gifts, political signs and homemade pasta (Jan's "toots") all over town. A nature lover, Dave nourished the local birds through the New England winters, always walking the edge of the porch carefully so as not to disturb the beautiful carpet of fresh-fallen snow, which was the foreground of his magnificent view of his cherished Eel River. He famously implemented this environmentalism as a Plymouth Selectman to save "Swan-zilla" in 2003. His life long passion to "get it right" came much to the chagrin of his fellow board members, who were each given research packets several inches thick each Sunday before meetings. "Dr. Dave" to his kids' friends, Dave spent the 80's coaching their soccer teams (100% positive reinforcement), rooting them on at ERBC swim meets, hunting pheasant with his beloved German Shorthair Pointer Rommel, and surf casting at dawn. Family weekends were happily filled with do-it-your-self projects. Dave made everything himself; his family's white picket fence, his kid's Halloween costumes (life size paper mache California Raisins!) and the tea-lights that made the trees sparkle at Mandy's wedding. Big bright colored Christmas lights were lovingly hung along the font of his Brook Road home, the driveway illuminated by a hand crafted, life-sized Santa, sleigh and Rudolph with a bright red nose. Dave put his creativity and sharp sense of humor on display. He adorned his fastidious friend's front lawn with cheap-plastic penguins wearing goggles diving into a kiddy pool. At Halloween his driveway was marked with the remains of a witch (and her precariously placed broom stick) who had crashed into the trunk of his pine tree. When Ted called to ask Dave's permission to marry Mandy, Dave replied, "What if I say no??" Always one to help others, Dave was known to open the back door of the radiology department to those to couldn't afford to come through the front. (Dave was so touched when a local fisherman thanked him with lobster.) This same passion lead him to use his "free time" while serving as a Navy medic in Vietnam to aide the local children and village T.B. clinic. Dave's childhood in Wethersfield CT. was filled with family and music. Dave saved his paper-route nickels to ride the horses at neighboring Rugar Farm. All four siblings (Jane, Barbara, Dave and Toby) sang in the Hartford Central Baptist Church choir. Father Charlie skillfully serenaded the family with Ragtime on the piano. Family vacations were enjoyed at Old Orchard Beach in Maine. Dave was an all-star athlete, leading his high school soccer team to the state semi-finals and founding the Bates College men's soccer club. Words cannot express Dave's enthusiasm for life, love, friends, and family, but he always summed it up with a huge T-E-R-R-I-F-I-C!! Please come celebrate Dave's amazing life Thursday, October 8 at the First Parish Plymouth Unitarian Universalist Church at noon. Reception to follow at the Plymouth Yacht Club. In honor of Dave, please do a good deed, show someone eternal patience, and greet everyone with a smile. Cranberry Hospice made Dave's wish to come home true, so please consider a gift in his name to them or another charity that serves one of Dave's many passions. Arrangements by Cartmell Funeral Home, 150 Court St., Plymouth, MA. For online guestbook visit: www.

cartmellfuneralhome.com