Charles Spencer Terbush

Charles Terbush Obituary
Charles Spencer Terbush, 80, of Lutz, Florida, beloved husband of Susan (Garrett) Terbush, danced his way into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Friday evening, December 15, 2023 in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.
Chuck died suddenly while dancing the Lindy with his daughter Wendy to a favorite dance song, "Celebration", at his granddaughter Abby's marriage celebration. He left us without pain surrounded by his wife, his three children (Jim, Wendy, and Bonnie), his three granddaughters (Abigail, Brenna, and Callie), and other relatives. One moment he was joyfully dancing in the arms of his daughter; the next moment he was in the arms of Jesus.
He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to the late Robert F. and Mabel V. (Spencer) Terbush and lived his early years in Devon, and then in Milford, Connecticut. He moved to Lutz, Florida in 1994.
Chuck had a deep and abiding faith in our Lord and was very active in several churches along his life's journey. However, his heart was with his last church, Shady Grove United Methodist Church, in Blairsville, Georgia, where he served as liturgist and song leader and sometime preacher. He always knew his most meaningful ministry was music. Chuck had the most beautiful voice, and frequently soloed at church. In his last year, Chuck finally started taking lessons to learn to play the dobro. He had always wanted to do so to extend his ministry into playing hymns at church. After 4-5 months of lessons, he played "Amazing Grace", dobro style, at Shady Grove. It was an outstanding failure (nerves!), but Chuck was the first to laugh with the congregation at his first attempt.
Chuck was a 15-year police veteran of the Milford, CT Police Department. He always said that when he was drafted in the late 1960's, he was deferred for flat feet, so he became a "flatfoot"! He actually started his working career working for an ambulance service at age 16. In those days it was learning on the job, no EMT's. After police work, he got into security and safety work.
During his lifetime, he enjoyed singing with the University Glee Club of New Haven and the Springfield Symphony Chorus and playing the cymbals with The Florida Brass, a drum and bugle corps in Florida. He started a clown troupe with Keystone Presbyterian Church. He was a lifelong canoeist and kayaker, belonging to competition clubs in New England and Florida. He loved recreational fishing, bicycling, and motorcycling.
Chuck will be deeply missed. He was a sweet and kind, gentle, and very generous, giving man. He tried to help those he knew were in need, being a constant comfort and help to several friends at the ends of their lives. He had a great sense of humor, always smiling and laughing. He loved to tell a story, and could tell it verbatim every time. His dad had told him he was vaccinated with a phonograph needle – how true!! He was one of a kind.
Besides his wife, Susan, he leaves his son, Jim Terbush of St. Petersburg, FL; his two daughters, Wendy Andrews (Jim) of Clinton, CT and Bonnie Terbush of Milford, CT; three granddaughters, Abigail Hallaway (Christian) of Beacon Falls, CT; Brenna Andrews (Connor Woodworth) of Clinton, CT; and Callie Andrews of Clinton, CT; also two step-daughters, Jill Tomasetti (Joe Burgess) of Oakland, CA; and Megan Tomasetti of Ridgefield, CT. He leaves a brother, Robert Terbush (Marianna) of Palm Harbor, FL. He also leaves several nieces and nephews and their families.
Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Joyce, and a step-daughter, Jennifer.
A memorial service will be held in Georgia at a later date. In lieu of flowers, friends may make contributions in Chuck's memory to Shady Grove United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 928, Blairsville, GA, 30514. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.
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