On Good Friday, April 2, 2021, Eugene R. Bucciarelli passed away from a battle with cancer. He was in the company of his loving wife, Patricia Bucciarelli, who survives him.
He is also survived by his sister, Mary
Bucciarelli of North Tonawanda, NY, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Eugene was born in N. Tonawanda, NY in 1930 to Alfonso and Lucia, both
immigrants from Italy, who had six children. He proudly served in the
U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict as an X-ray technician, following
this with his undergraduate degree at Claremont Men’s College
(Claremont, CA) under the G.I. Bill. He further completed his education
with an M.B.A. at Northwestern University and then began his lifelong
career in international financial auditing. He met his future wife,
Patricia (née Dlabal, born in Lincoln Co., KS), in California, and would
marry her in Turin, Italy in 1963 during his first overseas position.
The Bucciarellis would spend the next several decades in Europe, where
Eugene worked for the U.S. State Department in cooperation with the
UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).
Due to his U.N. work, most of this time was spent in Switzerland,
with other official travel taking him to Vietnam, Thailand, and the
Philippines. Eugene was a tireless and dedicated professional who
continued working well into his late 70s, as well as serving his
local community in his 80s as a member of the Santa Barbara County
Grand Jury. As an avid reader, he keenly followed current events and
international affairs, and was always enthused to discuss these with
family and friends. Eugene encouraged his nieces and nephews often and
reminded them of the importance of education, goals, and pride in hard
work. Once home in the U.S. after so many years abroad, the Bucciarellis
became faithful members of their Catholic parish at Old Mission Santa
Barbara. He embodied loyalty, faith, and patriotism throughout his life.
Rest in the Lord’s Peace and Buona Notte, Uncle Gene.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 12, 2021, starting at 10:30 AM at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilson.
Visitation will be on Sunday at the funeral home from 2 PM until 7PM
with a vigil starting at 6 PM.
Memorials have been suggested to the American Cancer Society or the
St. Wenceslaus Church and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease
Funeral Home, PO BOX 533, Wilson, KS 67490. Online condolences can be
left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com.