from:
Ralph W. "Bud" Gurney, Jr.(DEATHS)
From: Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, MA)|Date: 5/26/2007
SUTTON Ralph W. Bud Gurney, Jr., 82, died Friday, May 25th in his home on the sixth anniversary of his wife, Ruth E. (Cotton) Gurneys death, surrounded by family and friends.
He leaves two daughters, Pamela S. wife of David Farnham of Sutton and Lori J. wife of James DeLisle of Westminster; four grandchildren, Daniel and Michael Farnham and Sam and Rachael DeLisle; a sister, Carolyn wife of Jack Tebo of Florida; a sister-in-law, Shirley Gurney of NH; nephew and nieces. Bud was born in Sutton and is predeceased by his parents, Ralph W. Gurney Sr. and Luella (Marble) Gurney, a brother, Stephen Gurney, a sister, Barbara Weaver and an infant son, who died shortly after birth.
As a boy, Bud grew up in Sutton, spending much of his early years on Uncle Charlie Putnams farm, where he cultivated his life long love for animals, especially horses. He attended Sutton Schools and Hartford Public High School. He received an honorary diploma from the Sutton High School in 2005.
Bud founded Buds Auto Electric in the 1950s and then Fleet Electrical Service in Worcester in the 1960s, which he sold in 1982. He was an Army Air Force veteran during WW II. During the War he studied at Clemson College while based in the States, before going to Germany where he drove for General Barker.
He served for seven years on the Sutton Planning Board, on the Conservation Commission for 13 years, as a Sutton Selectman for 3 years and he chaired the Sutton Charter Commission. He was a founding member of the Sutton Historical Society. Working with and through Bud, Dorothea Waters Moran, a long time friend and distant relative, in 1974 bequeathed to the Town of Sutton, Waters Farm, which in the intervening years became a living history center of farming in New England and is one of the jewels in the Blackstone Valley. He was the President of the Waters Farm Preservation and was featured in the National Parks Service documentaries. He was a long time member of the First Congregational Church in Sutton, where he served on many committees. He was a retired Director of the Millbury Savings Bank and was a life member of the Olive Branch Lodge of Masons in Millbury and received a fifty years member recognition award. He was a 32nd Degree member of the Scottish Rite and Shriner. Bud was a Reserve Deputy of the Worcester County Deputy Sheriffs Assoc. and he also received many community service awards. He never took credit individually, but always as a member of the team.
His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 29th, in the First Congregational Church, Boston Rd., on the common in Sutton. After cremation, burial will be private in Howard Cemetery, Sutton. Calling hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 28th, in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 Main St., Millbury. A Masonic ritual will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Waters Farm Preservation Inc., 4 Uxbridge Rd., Sutton, MA. 01590. Condolence book and directions are available at:
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