Melvin Buchin

Melvin Buchin, 87, a lifelong resident of Trafford, passed away Friday, April 7, 2017, surrounded by his family in his home. Mel was born in Trafford, the son of the late John and Virginia (Miholovich) Buchin. Mel was a graduate of Trafford High School Class of 1947, then from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. He was a Korean War veteran, having served with the Army, stationed in Karlsruhe, Germany. He then started his career as a pharmacist in the former Weyandt's Drug Store in Trafford, then he went on to own his own pharmacy in West Hempfield for 10 years. He was a floater pharmacist for CVS for 24 years all over the Pittsburgh area, then worked in the Medicine Shoppe in Trafford for 12 years. While working as a pharmacist he worked for the John M. Dobrinick Funeral Home Inc. as a funeral assistant for over 25 years. Mel was an active member of the St. Regis Church, having served as an usher and a member of the Trafford Lions Club with more than 25 years of service. Mel loved to play the accordion for many occasions for family and friends. Mel and his wife, Betty, loved to travel around the world taking numerous cruises. Mel is survived by his loving wife and childhood sweetheart of 65 years, Betty (Radosh) Buchin, who he married Sept. 8, 1951; his children, James Buchin (Cheryl), of Murrysville, Jill Koutsky (Harold), of Alachua, Fla.; and his four grandchildren who were his pride and joy, known as the "Pips", Pip No. 1 Annie Courson (Brandon), Pip No. 2 Leandra Buchin, Pip No. 3 AJ Buchin and Pip No. 4 Nick Koutsky. The family would like to thank the staff at Interim Hospice and the Hillman Cancer Center for their compassionate care of Mel and all the many wonderful family and friends who offered love and support during this time.
Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the JOHN M. DOBRINICK FUNERAL HOME INC., 702 7th St., (State Route 130), Trafford, 412-372-3111. Parting prayers will be on at 9 a.m. Wednesday, followed by a funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Regis Church, with Father David Nazimek as celebrant. Interment with military honors will follow in the Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to either the St. Regis Church, 517 Homewood Ave., Trafford, PA 15085, Interim Hospice, 1789 S. Braddock Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15218 or the Hillman Cancer Center, UPMC Cancer Pavilion, Suite 1B, 5150 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232, upmccancercenter.com. www.dobrinickfhinc.com.