Local merchant, avid outdoorsman,
father of Still River resident
Bucky Bakun. (Courtesy photo)
Joseph E. “Bucky” Bakun Jr., 90, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Mary H. (Van Hoof) Bakun and their sons and daughters-in-law: Peter E. Bakun and Diane of Belgrade, Montana; David E. Bakun and Paula of Sterling; James E. Bakun and Ruthann of Still River; and John E. Bakun and Ann of Clinton. He leaves seven grandchildren, Cecelia Blenker, Kathryn McKenna, Laura Shane, and Fred, Dennis, Christopher, and Sarah Bakun; four great-grandchildren, Shayna, Derek, Ethan, and Emily Bakun; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends. He is predeceased by his half-sister, Hazel Leadbetter.
Bucky was born in Clinton to the late Joseph E. Bakun Sr. and Elsie (Vattes) Bakun. He was raised in Still River and graduated from the Bromfield School, class of 1942. He began his career as a milkman for Bigelow Dairy in Still River, and later he worked for A.C. Parker Co. in Clinton, in conjunction with establishing, owning, and operating Bucky’s Sport Shack in Still River for more than 20 years. In addition, he worked as a wholesale firearms distributor for the McKittrick Company and later Lew Horton, from which he ultimately retired. Bucky was a lifetime and charter member of the Harvard Sportsmen’s Club, an avid outdoorsman, and an accomplished carpenter, hunter, fisherman, and gardener.
A funeral service was scheduled for Thursday Jan. 7, 2016, in the Philbin-Comeau Funeral Home, Clinton. Burial will be at Bellevue Cemetery in Harvard. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Joseph “Bucky” Bakun to Clinton Hospital Guild, 201 Highland St., Clinton, MA 01510, or to St. Vincent Hospital Critical Care Nursing Fund, c/o Wendy Lancey–ICU, 123 Summer St., Worcester, MA 01608. Online condolences may be placed at www.philbincomeaufh.com.
