Concord Bus Driver Who Died Called Friend, Big Brother

CONCORD, NH — Concord's interim school superintendent is asking for the community to offer thoughts and prayers to the family of a bus driver who died Thursday after dropping off students on his route at Rundlett Middle School. Gary Jenkins, 68, attempted to pull his bus off to the side of Washington Street in the North End around 8:30 a.m. while having a medical incident. He was rushed to Concord Hospital where he later died.

The bus he was driving was empty at the time the vehicle struck a utility pole.

In an email to parents Friday, Franklyn Bass, the interim school superintendent of SAU 8, commended Jenkins as more than a bus driver. He called him a friend, big brother, parent, and "most of all a warm, smiling man who greeted students every day to and from the schools he served on his route." Bass added that Jenkins would be missed by the district and the students on his route.

"I can’t begin to tell you the outpouring of emotion and support that has taken place in these last 24 hours," Bass said. "Just to mention a few examples: Concord police provided their therapy dog, Liberty, on this morning’s bus run; school counselors were put on alert to help and support those children affected by Mr. Jenkins’ sudden passing; food baskets and school-sponsored breakfasts are being provided to the family; and flowers, donations and expressions of condolence in a variety of forms are just some of the examples of our community’s response to this tragic loss of one of our own."

Bass asked for everyone in the Concord school community to keep Jenkins' family in their thoughts and prayers as they navigate this difficult time.

"We will miss him terribly, for he clearly 'made a difference' in the lives of the students on whose behalf he worked," Bass said.

No funeral or wake information was available at post time.

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