Tod L. Rush

West Springfield -- Tod Rush, 71, died Wednesday, February 16, 2022 in Baystate Medical Center. Tod Leland Rush was born in Springfield and grew up in West Springfield, leaving after high school to pursue careers in the fine and applied arts. Treasured for his enthusiasm, generosity and open-mindedness, Tod was a loved and valued member of communities of friends and artisans in West Springfield and Gloucester, Washington NH, Boston and New York City. He studied at the University of Massachusetts, Montserrat School of Fine Arts and Harvard University, graduating with a diploma from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and a bachelor of fine arts degree from Tufts University. Living and working in Boston for much of the 1970s and '80s, he used his woodworking and construction skills in renovations and historical restorations of private and public buildings, corporate exhibition and product design, and exhibition work for the New England Aquarium and the Children's Museum of Boston. He also taught video-making at the Museum School. Tod moved to Manhattan’s Lower East Side for a dozen years, continuing to excel as an artist while working as a fine cabinetmaker and shop designer and as a site manager for construction companies. In Boston and New York, his paintings, videos, installations and performance works were shown in exhibitions and arts community events. Tod eventually returned to his childhood home in West Springfield to care for his parents, Claire (Bresett) Rush and Leland T. Rush, and his brother, Ned, who predeceased him. He loved golf, fine tools, his Ducati motorcycle and his cat, Lola. Tod’s last several years were a brave struggle against illness. He underwent a double lung transplant and numerous procedures with courage and grace, and was grateful for the care he received from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Baystate Medical Center, visiting nurses and clinics. Rich in friendships, he was especially close to his neighbors, Mark and Lori Mission, whose kindness and care made his independence possible. He is survived by first cousins Claudia (Barney) Paulette of Winter Garden FL, Robert Barney of Clarksville TN, Nancy Farnsworth of Mount Pleasant SC and Linda (Farnsworth) Owens of Exeter RI, and by many loving friends. Family and friends will gather for a memorial service at a future date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association of Massachusetts. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit Tod’s memorial page at www.nefcc.net for expressions of sympathy. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Tod L. Rush.

Tod L. Rush

October 19, 1950 - February 16, 2022