ANNAPOLIS, Md. — House Speaker Mike Busch, draped in a Maryland flag, was escorted by an honor guard to his funeral. Friends, and current and former state leaders were on hand to show their respect to the longest-serving Speaker of the House in Maryland history.
His wife Cindy Busch, was comforted by daughters Erin and Megan.
Governor Larry Hogan spoke about a conversation he had with Busch recently in the hospital, to a packed St. John Neuman Catholic Church in Annapolis.
"He and I had a heart to heart about how the partisan battles and the political rivalries are really not all that important and we agreed what really matters was our families and loved ones and the proud," said Governor Hogan.
Mike Busch was a leader of state law makers but before that he played football at Temple and was even drafted by the Dallas Cowboys until a knee injury changed that career prospect.
He continued his love of sports, coaching and mentoring athletes; for his 17 years as Speaker he was often referred to as “coach”. His daughter Megan spoke of a time her father coached a game in which she missed every layup in the contest. She said the ride home was a silent one.
"Once we got home he just looked at me and said, 'Grab a ball and go to the back yard. You are doing layups until I say stop,' and let me tell you, after that day, my shot percentage went way up," said Megan Busch.
"While my dad has left a lasting impact on so many people here, the impact on my life is like no other. He was my coach, my teacher and my best buddy. I love you dad and thank you for everything," said Erin Busch.
Michael Erin Busch was 72-years-old.
