Elizabeth Mary Busa
1924-2007
Beauty, Dignity, Grace, Intelligence

Elizabeth M. Busa 82, of Two Harbors, died Monday, Feb.19, 2007 at Lake View Memorial Hospital. She was born April 25, 1924 to John and Alice (Faquarson) Bonner in Boston, MA. She grew up in Boston and graduated from Jamaica Plain High School. She married Charles in 1941 and worked for the US Selective Service and the US Postal Service. After retiring, she and Charlie lived in Lewisville, NC for 20 years. In May of 2005, she moved to Two Harbors, and in a brief time made many wonderful friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Charles F. Busa and her sister, Barbara Bonner. Elizabeth is survived by her sons Joseph J. (Beth) Busa, Hopedale, MA and Charles F. (Mary Jo) Busa, Jr. of Lewisville, NC, daughter Elizabeth M. Busa of Two Harbors; grandchildren Cinthia (Matthew) Elkins, Charles (Angela) Deye, and Jennifer (Blake) Freking; great-grandchildren Cuinn and Anna Deye; sisters Mary (Bob) Elliott of FL and Bernadette Elliott of MA; brothers James (Lorraine) and John (Mildred) Bonner, both of MA; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation 2-4 PM Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007 at Cavallin Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church, 377 Walnut Ave. in Roxbury, MA 02119. Burial at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.
Published in the Boston Globe on 2/21/2007.

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Charles Frank Busa Sr.
1919-2006
Honor, Loyalty, Honesty, Perserverence

A retired US Postal Service employee and also a retired First National Bakery employee, passed away at the Sunrise Nursing Home in Two Harbors, MN. He was a proud member of the Teamsters Organization for 35 years and also was an active member of the VFW organization holding various positions including quarter master. During WWII he served as a member of the 91st Bomb Group and became well respected to this day, for his contributions to the airplane Nose Art that personalized the aircraft for the crew. He spent most of his life in his hometown of Boston, MA. After retirement he and Betty relocated to Lewisville, North Carolina and later to Two Harbors, Minnesota. He leaves his wife of 64 years Betty (Bonner), by one daughter Elizabeth (Minnesota), and two sons Joseph (Boston) and Charles Jr. (N. Carolina). In addition he is also survived by 1 brother James Busa (of Boston), 3 Grandchildren, one Step Grandchild & 2 Great Grandchildren. Services will be held at Cavallin Funeral Home in TWO HARBORS, MN, Followed by Burial in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. Donations can be made to the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). In lieu of flowers donations will be appreciated either to the national VFW organization or to the local VFW organizations. See www.vfw.org for additional information. Cards may be sent to Liz Busa, Box 29, Two Harbors, MN 55616.
Published in the Boston Globe on 4/22/2006.

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B-17 Mechanic, Nose Art Artist, 91st Bomb Group, Patriot,
Wise Guy, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa
US Postal Service, Painter, Caligrapher, Artist


About Charles Busa
(taken from portions of a 1998 letter to Phil Mack)
Charles Busa worked with Tony Starcer for over two and a half years. They were like morale builders. They helped many who came into the paint shop with their trinkets and those who wanted their carvings spray painted with a coating of protecting lacquer. Charles felt that Tony Starcer was the best nose-art painter in the ETO.
Charles and Tony painted jackets, the little squadron patches for the A2 jackets, plus the nose art. Charles was an airplane mechanic and engine mechanic for three or four months until they needed painters for all the markings that planes required. One man from each squadron was selected, Charles from the 324th, Tony from the 322nd, Culbertson from the 323rd, and the 401st man refused to report. No one complained so he got away with it. They only worked out of the 441st sub-depot but belonged to their own squadrons.
In all, Charles believes they painted on about 280 of the 298 planes the 91st BG had during the war.


Guest Book for Charles Frank Busa

May 2, 2006
Charlie Busa was my Godfather and one of my favorite Uncles. He was always so nice to us kids and loved to joke around with us. On Sundays, when the families were together at our grandmothers, he would reach into his pocket and throw a fistful of change up into the air. Then all of us kids would scrabble for the money so we could go the corner store. Uncle Charlie, as he was known (and he had enough nieces and nephews to prove it) had a great sence of humor and was a BIG tease! He had a winning smile. He will be missed...
Jean Cassidy (Belmont, MA)

April 29, 2006
Charlie was my dad, Alfred (Buddy) Busa's uncle. When my Army husband was in Korea in 2001, Charlie was in SC and would send emails to me about his time in the military. They helped me feel connected to the family I was away from and gave me some of the family's history. In 2003 when my husband was in Iraq, Charlie send a few, more confused emails. He would occasionally send me the same one twice, or call me by my sister's name, but the effort was there again and appreciated again. I was saddened to hear of his passing. I printed some of those old emails years ago and keep them in my hope chest. He will be missed. Donna
Donna Busa-Hughes (Fayetteville, NC)

April 25, 2006
Evenin' Folks! How y'all? :) That was the name of one of the planes that Grandpa Charlie painted during WWII. Grandpa was generous, a good tipper, courteous, a gentleman who got the door even as he walked with a cane. Grandpa was fun, funny, and a real wise guy. Taught us to pound the table with our forks and knives and chant "we want food!" when the service was slow at a restaurant. I"m putting together a website with old photos of Grandpa and Grandma Busa that I've scanned in from old photo albums. This way, our family and all over the world can enjoy them - it's really neat to see the old wartime photos. http://www.drselkins.net/Grandpa Love, Cindy Cinthia Elkins (Champaign, IL)

April 25, 2006
Charlie loved being with his family and friends. He loved ice cream on his breakfast cereal with berries on top.
A special moment last August was his visit with his brother, Jim.
We all miss him very much.
Liz Busa (Two Harbors, MN)

April 22, 2006
I will miss him. He had such a great sense of humor.
Lyman Stinson (Saugus, MA)

April 22, 2006
As a kid we always looked forward to Auntie Betty and Uncle Charlie coming to Pembroke to visit us - always bearing a gift of a dozen Dunkin Donuts. What a treat! As an adult I would receive e-mails from Uncle Charlie. He was always a proud American and proud of his time and accomplishments in the service and WWII. The thing he was most proud of, however, was his wife, Betty, and all the happy years of marriage they shared. Thank you for the memories and may the family find peace in your passing.
Anne Marie & Kevin Babcock (Plymouth, MA)

April 4, 2007
Sorry to hear of the loss of Mr and Mrs Busa. I still remember meeting them back in 5th grade. I always think of Mr Busa when I see the movie Memphis Belle. My condolences and God Bless.
Sadie (Sara) Wakal

May 7, 2006
Although I never met Uncle Charlie, we did write to each other a couple of times about ten years ago during my engagement. He raved about his family and was proud of his artwork during his Army days. He also told me of how the Busa family came to the states in 1914 and how he worked with my grandfather, Alfred, at First National Bakery. He had a knack for story-telling and his warmth and joy showed in his letters.

I recall visiting Auntie Lena's home as a little girl and seeing the large, framed photo of Uncle Charlie in uniform with Aunt Betty at his side. I was star-struck by how handsome Uncle Charlie and how beautiful Aunt Betty were. Charlie was a wonderful man. I remember him fondly. My thoughts and prayers are with Aunt Betty and family.
Janet Mason (North Billerica, MA)


Guest Book for Elizabeth Mary Busa

February 21, 2007
Betty~All our lives I always introduced you to people as my oldest sister which bothered you, but I never could break the habit. I guess it was because I knew you were a person I could go to for advice and comfort. You held the family together when our mother died and over the years you were a guiding force in my life. I love you very much and you will be in my prayers as long as I live. You are now in heaven with Charlie and Barbara. May you rest in peace.
Your younger brother,
James
James Bonner (Bedford, MA)

February 27, 2007
My Beloved sister, you are missed already. Love John
John Bonner (Phillipston, MA)

February 27, 2007
Aunt Betty. I haven't seen you since I was a teenager. With the family moved apat so long ago, My children never got to meet you and Charlie. In hind site that is a shame.I have fond memories of you and Charlie when I was a kid.
Loving, quiet, Funny, and always Itailian pastries!
Those were good times and will be relayed to my children.
Love
Michael
Michael Bonner (Phillipston, MA)

February 21, 2007
Mary Jo (MJ) and I miss my parents now and will for many years to come. We will remember the good times along with the smiles and laughs that accompanied them.
Charlie Busa (Lewisville)

February 21, 2007
For 66 years, Betty and Charlie were together. Now, after only 10 months apart, they are together again, happy and free from all cares.
Both will be missed by their loving family.
Grimp and Grump Forever!
Love, Liz
Liz Busa (Two Harbors, MN)

February 22, 2007
I greatly enjoyed my time with Charlie and Betty and join you in mourning her loss. She was a wonderful person, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Donald Deye (Cambridge, MN)

February 22, 2007
I love my fashionable, doll-collecting grandma who ate fresh garden tomato with mayo sandwiches, pickles, and circus peanuts. I was her "#1 Grandkid" and I cherish my memories of her. She will be missed.
Cindy Elkins (Champaign, IL)

February 20, 2007
You were my big sister and will be forever in my heart. I love you. I pray that you are with Charlie and Barbara and mom and dad.
Bernadette Elliott (Foxboro, MA)

March 4, 2007
Betty was the first born and we all looked up to her. I was always following her around (much to her dismay) . One day as we were leaving the Mass Transit beading home, a man with thick glasses attacked her. I didn’t quite know what was going on as we were both quite young. Betty yanked the man’s glasses off his face and was scratching his face and eyes furiously. I turned around as we were running away to see the man crawling around on all fours, looking for his glasses. He couldn’t see that my sister had crushed them to pieces. That day she became my hero.
Until we meet again, with all my love, Mary
Mary Elliott (Boca Raton, FL)

February 23, 2007
When I think of Auntie Betty..I always think of her grace and elegance. She seemed to be born with it. I remember all the Sundays at her house , running in and out of her home with all the cousins ..creating chaos. She never seemed to mind. She would just just smile in her quiet way. I always remember how bonded she was with Uncle Charlie. I know they are happily in each others arms and rejoicing once again. I think she will be watching over her kids.grandkids,and great grandchildren and smiling as they make their way though life.
I am sorry I hadnt seen Aunt Betty for quite awhile but thanks to Liz..we were back in touch through cards and phone calls. It was always nice to hear her voice.
I loved my Auntie Betty! We all should be so lucky to have an Auntie Betty in our lives!
Love,
Roberta
Roberta Kingston (Waltham, MA)

February 22, 2007
We were so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing today (2-22)from Mary Lou. She was a wonderful person. She will be in our prayers, as will you all.
Cathy Nowicki (Clemmons, NC)