Dr. Lee "Buzz" Tarno Jr.

Dr. M. Lee "Buzz" Tarno, Jr., age 92, of Erie, PA passed away on December 30, 2025, surrounded by family at Forest View. He was born on January 11, 1933, the son of the late Dr. M. Lee Tarno, Sr. and Rosamond Whiteside Tarno.

Buzz attended Academy High School, Allegheny College and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Pittsburgh. He practiced in the Erie area for many years with his father and then as a sole practitioner. Buzz served in the United States Air Force from 1956 until 1959. He and his bride, Phyllis, were stationed in Anchorage, Alaska.

Buzz enjoyed refinishing furniture, fixing anything that was broken, spending time in his vegetable garden, skiing, camping, swimming, walking with his many dogs, learning, and traveling. He was happiest when building furniture and sailing on the Great Lakes or the Virgin Islands.

He was a member of his high school water polo team, a member of the Allegheny Chapter of Phi Delta Theta, and Delta Sigma Delta while he was at dental school. He was an active member of the Erie Power Squadron, where he served as Commander and achieved the grade N Full Certificate. He served as an usher at First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant for over 50 years and was also a volunteer at the Blasco Library and the Veterans Hospital.

Buzz and Phyllis spent their most recent years living at Springhill. They made many friends, walked the beautiful campus, and Buzz even maintained the many clocks at the facility. Known to pull a prank or two, and a consummate tease, he always managed to get a smile from everyone he interacted with.

In addition to his parents, Buzz was preceded in death by his sister Grace Elizabeth (Skip) Neithamer.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Phyllis Speck Tarno, his son Mark Tarno (Elizabeth), daughters Susan Mitchell (Mark) and Peggy Lowery (Daniel), 7 grandchildren: Tucker, Stephanie, David, Allison, Travis, Nell and Amelia, and 4 great-grandchildren.

The Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is handling private services. Send condolences to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com

Donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant - Organ Fund 250 W 7th Street, Erie, PA 16501