MCCALLA John "Bugsy" Kersh, age 61, of McCalla, died July 30, 2012, at home. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, 4809 Bell Hill Rd., Bessemer, AL 35022, with Pastor Alan Head officiating. Family visitation will be one hour prior to the memorial service at the church.
He was preceded in death by his father, Andy Kersh.
Survivors include his wife, Latona Kersh; his daughter, Katie Kersh; and his mother, Peggy Kersh, all of McCalla; and his sister, Janie Hill (Cary) of Gulf Shores.
Bugsy received his nickname as a toddler from a great-aunt who babysat him. Upon his parents' return she said he was so rambunctious she called him the little gangster "Bugsy". From that the name stuck with him throughout his life.
He graduated from Holt High School in 1969. He was a great ballplayer at Holt High and also played with American Legion Post 34 for many years. He was part of the team the year Post 34 won the World Series in 1967. He was the youngest player who ever played with Post 34. His favorite baseball team was the New York Yankees, and he was a lover of Alabama Crimson Tide football.
He loved family, friends, and his great group of ball-playing buddies who were dear and close to him. He had no greater friend and coach than Jerry Belk, who was there for him to the very end.
Special thanks to all the many friends and caregivers for their support to him and his family. A special thank you to Hospice Services of Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of John "Bugsy" Kersh to the Katie Kersh College Fund at Regions Bank.
Published in Tuscaloosa News on August 5, 2012
