Richard T. Buck

Richard Dick T. Buck, 77
     FALMOUTH -- Richard Dick T. Buck, 77, of Mountain Road, died at his home on Nov. 29, 2006, after a long battle with Parkinsons disease, surrounded by his family.
     Born in Portland on March 15, 1929, he was the son of Archie O. and Madge E. (Tracy) Buck. Dick was raised and educated in Portland, was a member of the Deering High School Band and graduated from there in 1947.
     He enlisted in the Navy after school serving during the Korean War. While in the Navy, he played 1st Clarinet for the Navy Band. During that time, he was privileged to play in President Truman's Inaugural Parade, in Washington, D.C. and also to play before Queen Elizabeth.
     A telephone installer and repairman for over 35 years, Dick was employed for the former New England Tel and Tel, he retired from there in 1981. Staying busy after retirement, he drove a school bus for ten years in the Town of Raymond.
     On June 22, 1957, Dick married Patricia Lyons, in Windham. While raising their three daughters, they made their home in Raymond. In 1991, they moved to Mountain Road, in Falmouth.
     An accomplished musician from a young age, he played the clarinet and banjo and in years past, was a tap dancer with his sisters. During the 1960s, Dick had his own bands, the Whites Bridge Woodchuck's with Lonnie and Ellen Wescott and later, Dick Buck and the Three Quarters, playing at the former Lakeland Dance Hall, in North Windham.
     He was a member of the Presumpscot Lodge of Masons #127, of Windham, a member of the Kora Temple Shrine, in Lewiston and played in the Oriental Band.
     He enjoyed refinishing antiques and loved hunting trips to the family farm in Bethel.
     A sister, Phyllis Barton predeceased him in 1963. Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Patricia Lyons Buck of Falmouth; three daughters, Cheryl Diehl and her husband Greg of Cumberland, Tracie Mitchell and her husband Jim of Windham, and Linda Berry and her husband Don, also of Windham; seven grandchildren, Casey, Ryan and Abby Diehl of Cumberland, Adam and Lesley Mitchell of Windham, and Kamden and Stratton Berry of Windham; one sister, Lois Gay and her husband Francis of Portland; and his mother and father-in-law, Malcolm and Mary Lyons of Windham.
     A period of visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m., until 12 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006, at the Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Road in Windham, where a Celebration of Life will be held at 12 p.m. Burial will follow on the family lot at Windham Hill Cemetery, Windham Center Road, Windham.
     The family would like to thank Pam Shay, Rhonda Forbes and Mary Ann McLean from VNA Home Health Care, for the loving and compassionate care during Dick's illness.
    In lieu of flowers, memorial
    donations may be made in
    Dick's memory to:
    The Maine Parkinsons Society
     5 Buckman Road
    Falmouth, Maine 04105
     or to:
    VNA Home Health Care
    50 Foden Road
     South Portland, Maine 04106
     Richard Dick
     T. Buck