Buddie L. Derucher

Buddie L. Derucher, 65, passed away peacefully, in the comfort of his Clark Mills home, with loving family by his side, Thursday, August 1, 2024.

Buddie was born in Syracuse, NY, August 31, 1958, a son of the late Kenneth J. and Vienna “Deanna” (MacDougal) Derucher. He was raised and educated in Gowanda, NY and a graduate of Gowanda Senior High School. For the rest of his life, he pursued many levels of education. Buddie first pursued a degree in Psychology and later graduated from Simmons Mortuary Science School as a licensed Funeral Director, working in Cooperstown, NY, where he also served as coroner in Otsego County. Later, he managed the Lights Funeral Home of Schenectady, NY for several years. Budd was also a licensed beautician, who managed and worked in many salons in the Utica and New Hartford areas.

Always seeking more knowledge, he attended St. Elizabeth School of Nursing becoming a Registered Nurse and eventually receiving his Nurse Practitioner License. Currently he was employed as the Health and Wellness Director at Utica National Insurance Co., where he was deeply honored to serve his fellow employees for the past ten years. 

Buddie was one of those rare and unique individuals, who was not only a jack-of-all-trades, but, master of them all as well. He was often heard saying to people “I can cut your hair, evaluate and treat your mental health, take care of you when you’re sick, and plan the details of your funeral.”  No matter what endeavors he took on, he did so whole-heartedly and with conviction. Through his kind and compassionate ways, he was able to put people at ease, comfort and counsel them through hard times, and celebrate the good times.

Buddie shared a very loving relationship with Pete Alessandrini and the couple have lived and worked together for over thirty-four years, enjoying many memorable times and projects. Their home, a former church, should be in a magazine and is a testament to their talent and creativity. They were joined in marriage on August 2, 2023.

Surviving Budd is his loving husband, Pete; siblings, Kenneth “Skipper” and Barbara Derucher, Steven and Becky Derucher, Catherine (Robin) Derucher, and Walter and Kathy Derucher; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Ray Alessandrini and Richard Panetta, and Michelle and Todd Ullman; two mothers-in-law, Catherine Ehlinger and Karen Alessandrini; step brother-in law Christopher and Lisa Steeper; and also many beloved, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews, especially acknowledging, Kim and Jason Alguire, Jessica and Mike Nackley, Sarrita and Chris Bruns, Devin and Olana Purcell, Morgan Tyrrell, and Spencer Tyrrell.

He is predeceased by his three sisters, Wanda Derucher, Tammy Cornell, and Deanna King; and father-in-law, Ray Alessandrini.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Historic Old St. John’s Church, Utica, Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 10 a.m., where the family will greet visitors following mass. Private interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Barneveld, NY.

Thanks to the staff at MVHS Wynn, Floor 7, and Oneida Health Center Care of Roswell Park, with special care provided by Maggie. In memory of Budd, donations can be made to Make-A-Wish Central New York or the American Heart Association.

Online memorials at www.MattFuneralHome.com

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