| Date of Birth | August 18, 1942 |
| Passed Away | June 4, 2026 |
| Place of Residence | Hornell |
| Home State | NY |
Charles William “Bus” Rees
HORNELL – Charles William “Bus” Rees, a lifelong resident of Hornell, NY, passed away on Thursday (June 4, 2026), after a courageous battle with cancer.
Bus was born on August 18, 1942 to Charles and Catherine Rees. He was a graduate of Hornell High School. He was married to his wife, Rose for 62 years.
Together they built a life centered on family, hard work, and love. Bus was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
His youngest daughter, Kathryn Kerbs (Andy) pre deceased him. He is survived by his wife, Rose (Parks) Rees; his children, Richard Rees, Amy Griffin (Shawn) and Jill Greening (Greg) along with 9 grandchildren, Patrick, Michael, Lexi, Danielle, Joey, Lacie, Julia, Kathryn and Jacob and an ever-growing gang of great-grandchildren.
Bus spent many years working as a truck driver for Hollands Lumber Company before continuing his career with Covered Wagon Train, where he remained until his retirement. A dedicated provider, Bus worked tirelessly to care for his family while always making time for motorcycle rides, visits to Keuka Lake, hikes with his great grandkids and an annual trip to Cape May – his favorite vacation. Bus was a human road map. He could tell you how to get anywhere you wanted to go. He also had an amazing sense of direction… ask his kids who he would load in the car and start off on a Sunday morning for a drive to the middle of nowhere… and flip a quarter at each intersection to determine which way we turned. We all thought we were lost forever but he always got his family home safely!
Above all, Bus treasured his role as “Opa.” His grandchildren and great-grandchildren will forever cherish the time spent together. Simply put, the best Opa ever.
To honor Bus’ wishes there will be no calling hours or funeral services. A Celebration of Life at a later date is being planned.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Vincent House in Wayland, NY, for the exceptional care and compassion shown to Bus during his final days.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to The Vincent House, 310 Second Ave., Wayland, NY 14572 can be made in Bus’s memory.
The Bishop-Johnson & Desanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell is honored to assist Bus’ family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Bus are welcome below or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
