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Billquist has turned tragic loss into helping others

Photo by Eric Tichy Jamie Billquist is pictured with his dog, Stella, and a portrait of his late wife, Rosemary, outside his home in Sherman. Next month will mark five years since “Rosie” Billquist died in a tragic hunting accident that has spurred several fundraisers toward assisting a variety of organizations.

It doesn’t take much for Jamie Billquist to be reminded of his late wife.

Whether it’s a photograph of Rosemary “Rosie” Billquist that pops up on Facebook or a random anecdote from someone who knew her, there’s always something that seems to hit home.

“Does it get easier? I don’t think it gets easier,” Billquist said as the five-year mark of Rosie’s tragic passing nears.

“You find ways to keep yourself busy to get yourself through,” he told The Post-Journal in a recent interview. “I have my moments. I mean, there’s moments I see a video of her or hear her voice. It’s hard not to. It’s tough, but I know she’s in a good place and we’re doing a lot of good and I know she would love this.”

Indeed, in the five years since Rosie died, Jamie Billquist and a bevy of friends, volunteers and even strangers have helped keep her memory alive while providing financial and other assistance to several organizations and families.

Photo by Eric Tichy Jamie Billquist is pictured at the Rosie Billquist Nature Trail in Sherman.

“I think about her every day,” Billquist said of his wife, who died Nov. 22, 2017. She was accidentally shot by a neighbor while walking her dogs, Stella and Sugar, outside the pair’s home in the town of Sherman.

The Rosemary Billquist Memorial Fund was established through the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Its mission has been to “support organizations and causes that were closest to her heart,” the foundation said in December 2017.

Each year, money collected in fundraisers and other activities are split between the Chautauqua County Humane Society, Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care and Southern Tier Kidney Association.

“Working with Jamie to set up this fund in Rosie’s memory was one of the first things I did in my new role at the Community Foundation,” said Tory Irgang, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation executive director. “Over the past five years, it has been inspiring to watch Jamie, and those closest to Rosie, find ways to keep her memory alive while supporting the community she loved so much. They have truly personified the phrase, ‘In a world where you can be anything, be kind,’ which we know was how Rosie lived her life.”

Since its establishment, the Rosemary Billquist Memorial Fund has provided about $3,000.

In addition to her job at UPMC Chautauqua, Rosie also volunteered at hospice — oftentimes bringing pets to the patients she saw.

Each June, there is the Rosie’s Run — a 5K and 10K race in her hometown of Sherman; the race takes place on the same roads and trails that Rosie used to run.

There is also the popular golf tournament, “Golfing For Rosie,” that is held annually in August. Billquist said the event “always sells out really quick in a couple of weeks.”

In addition to the memorial fund, money raised each year also helps pay for organizing the fundraisers. Organizations often help by donating time and resources, but Billquist noted that “there’s still plenty of costs” to host events in Rosie’s name.

When a local family experiences an emergency, such as a house fire, Billquist will help by writing them a check. He likes to promote the donations when appropriate, not to highlight himself, but to let the community know that the funds being raised in Rosie’s name are being put to good use to those who need it most.

Every November, Billquist and friend Matthew Ehrman dress up in turkey costumes to give away 100 turkey dinners. Items for the giveaway have been provided by Dave and Addie Waller with Save-A-Lot.

“They’ve really stepped up and helped us out,” Billquist said of the Wallers.

When the day arrives, Billquist and Ehrman set up shop in a parking lot, don their turkey attire and put out the word on Facebook. It’s typically first-come, first-serve, though Billquist said he hates to turn people away who show up unaware of the giveaway and who may be in need of a meal at the Thanksgiving holiday.

The meals will be available this year from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Nov. 20.

Rosie’s name lives on in other ways as well.

The WCA Foundation oversees a scholarship in memory of Rosie. It’s eligible for employees of UPMC Chautauqua “as they advance their education in ways to increase their ability to do their job at the hospital.”

In September 2019, Chautauqua Rails To Trails organized the dedication of the Rosie Billquist Nature Trail at Ralph C. Sheldon Jr. French Creek Park in Sherman. A large sign bearing Rosie’s name was installed at the trail’s entrance.

Bree Agett, with Rails To Trails, said shortly before the dedication that the particular stretch of trail in Sherman had no official name beyond “Village of Sherman Nature Trail.” A native of Sherman herself, Agett said it “made sense” to name the trail after Rosie.

“She was an avid biker and runner,” Agett said in 2019.

Billquist tries to stay active outside of work at Pepsi Bottling Group and the various fundraisers and charitable work.

He lost Sugar, one of the two yellow Labrador retrievers he and Rosie rescued when they were puppies, in January due to seizures. He enjoys taking Stella, the other lab, on walks as well as kayaking and riding his motorcycle.

“It keeps me busy, pretty much every weekend,” he said. “I like to go to golf tournaments to raise money for families. I’m always trying to involve myself into those, too, you know, to help people because it also helps me. It’s definitely healing for me, there’s no doubt in my mind. It’ll never go away — I’ll always think of her and she’ll always be in my mind every waking day.”

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