Paul G. Bushnell

Paul George Bushnell, age 78, passed away peacefully in Albuquerque, NM surrounded by his family on August 29, 2025.

Born in New York City, to Ethel and Clarence Bushnell, the middle of three children, he grew up outside of Boston, MA with his sisters Sandy and Susan.

When younger, Paul played football and ice hockey, but his passion was being out on the water. Spending summers in Cape Cod, he loved surfing and fishing, and Paul drove boats long before he drove a car. Paul was always at peace when he was on the water and throughout his life he loved sport fishing, water skiing and just being on his boat. 

Paul received his undergraduate degree from North Park University in Chicago, IL and then earned his Master's Degree from Yale University in New Haven, CT. It was at Yale University where he met his wife, Kathy Lopez. After their graduation and wedding, the young couple moved to Boston to pursue careers in Healthcare.

Paul started his career at Children’s Hospital Medical Center, moving to Blue Cross before taking the entrepreneurial leap and founding Health Strategy Associates in 1979. Paul’s firm specialized in strategic planning and implementation of new programs and facilities for healthcare providers. In 1991, Paul sold his firm to Quorum Health and moved his family to Nashville, TN. After ten years in the country music capital, Paul and Kathy moved their family to Kathy’s hometown of Albuquerque, NM to help care for elderly relatives. While in Albuquerque, Paul recognized a growing need for compassionate senior care.  This need reignited his entrepreneurial spirit and he founded SeniorCare, a group of assisted living centers that provided aging care in small, non-institutional settings. After helping with that need, Paul again sold his company and finally retired.

Paul’s true passions were his family and music. Throughout his life, Paul could most often be found supporting his five children and cheering each of them on at the swimming pool, hockey rink, volleyball court, lacrosse fields or on a ski hill. Paul continued this unwavering support to his grandchildren and each of their individual endeavors. Family was Paul’s All.

Paul loved music. As a young man, it was a family friend that insisted Paul take trumpet lessons – which kickstarted Paul’s music career. For over six decades, Paul either played the trumpet or sang in choirs that performed at some storied venues like Carnegie Hall.  When not performing, Paul could often be seen tapping his foot while listening to his favorite music.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Sandy Ronan. He is survived by his wife Kathy, son and four daughters, Kristen Bushnell (Mark), Jonathan Bushnell (Bridget), Lisa Bushnell, Tori Turiciano (Angelo), Whitney Bushnell, 11 grandchildren, his sister Susie, brothers-in-law, Owen Lopez (Vicki), Jay Lopez (Inge), Floyd Lopez (Susan), and Dr. Timothy Lopez (Rhonda), Larry Ronan and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at St. John’s United Church, 2626 Arizona St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ALS New Mexico, www.newmexicoals.org and please include Paul’s name in the comment section.