Greg was born March 11, 1949 in Wellsville to Wallace W. and Eleanor M. (Messler) Rushmore. He grew up on Madison Street where he attended school and made many life-long friends over the years. He graduated from Wellsville Central School in 1967 and served in the United States Army from 1969-1971 in Vietnam and Cambodia where upon he received the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service (First Oak Leaf Cluster); the Army Commendation Medal for heroism; the Air Medal for “meritorious service while participating in aerial flight” and the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. Greg graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley with a degree in History and Anthropology.
Gifted with many talents, Greg pursued a career in construction, specializing in carpentry and cabinetry. He finished his career as a woodworker, completing smaller projects.
Greg is survived by a sister, Sherry Rushmore Clark of Wellsville; two aunts, Joan Brooker and Faith Hovey; a step-mother, Sally Dannheim; nine step-siblings, Judy (Dave) Mitchell, Doug (Theresa) Carl, Don Carl, Brian Carl, Jeff (Nicole) Carl, Caryn Shaver, Tina (Ron) Wightman, Monty (Robin) Case and Brian (Beth) Case; two nephews, William (Pamela) Alvord of Casper, Wyoming and Kevin Alvord of Hammondsport; one niece, Cindi (Joseph) Hudson of New Zealand; two grand-nephews, Carter (Harley) Quin and Brighton Quin; three grand-nieces, Evie Quin, Kara Proctor, Bella Hudson; two great-nieces, Serena Hudson and Cassandra Hudson; and several cousins and special friends, including Peter Lungo of Denver, Colorado.
In addition to his parents, Greg was predeceased by a brother-in-law, Robert Clark; a step-mother, Barbara Rushmore; and a step-father, Fred Dannheim.
Greg loved to travel which included extended time in England, Scotland and Ireland. He was also a camping, hiking and snowshoe enthusiast. The vastness and beauty of Colorado became his sanctuary and therapy for living.
As an advocate for maintaining the environment, he earned the admiration of the local community as “Keeper of Cherry Creek”, a suburb of Denver. He made it his mission to volunteer to pick up trash along the area trails, snow removal of the sidewalks and whatever else needed to be done to make his neighborhood better than the way he found it. He developed many close friends through his efforts.
Greg will be laid to rest on Monday (December 30) at 1:30 p.m. at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver with full military honors. Locally, there will be a Celebration of Life ceremony on Saturday (May 10) from noon -1:00 at Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Wellsville/Scio with the Wellsville American Legion performing military honors. Online condolences may be offered at www.baker-swan.com. © 2024 Baker-Swan Funeral Home.
