Richard J. Pucak 1933-2021

He was born July 2, 1933, to George and Mary Pucak, now deceased. Dick graduated from Hubbard High School in 1951.

Dick met the love of his life, Donna Jean Walters, at a K of P Hall dance in Coalburg, and there, their 62-year love affair began. Dick and Donna were truly soulmates and were blessed with three beautiful children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren,

He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, stationed in Amarillo AFB, Texas, serving as an A & E general jet mechanic during the Korean War. Many stories were enjoyed of the time Dick and Donna spent in Texas together as he served his country.

Dick retired from US Can in 1994 (formerly Sherwin-Williams), in Hubbard. His mechanical skills were legendary; he was known to many as “Mr. Fixit.”

He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church until retiring to Florida, where he was a member of St. Therese Catholic Church in North Fort Myers.

He enjoyed summers at the “Crows’ Nest” cottage at Conneaut Lake, Pa., and in his later years, winters in North Ft. Myers, Fla. and Newton, N.C.

Dick’s greatest love and purpose in life was being a part of an amazing family, with 15 brothers and sisters, and 39 nieces and nephews on his side, along with five sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-law, and 26 nieces and nephews on Donna’s side. Family was everything. Some of his other passions included dancing with Donna, pulling kids and grandkids on the boat, golfing, socializing with friends at the VFW, and enjoying a daily high ball made with Black Velvet.

He is survived by his daughter, Darlene (Rodger) Dawson of Newton, N.C.; sons, Richard (Marie) of Grosse Ile, Mich. and Michael (Dawn) of Ottawa Hills; five grandchildren, CJ, Danielle, Michael, Brooke and Gavin; and six great-grandchildren, Gracie, Stone, Jordyn, Sydney, Morgan and Harper. He is also survived by two siblings, Toni O’Bruba (Bob) and Barbara Best (David); and a host of nieces and nephews. Dick also leaves behind a very special friend, Jean Sheckton, whose company he enjoyed the last three years of his life.

Besides his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his brothers, John, Emil, George, Carl, Robert and William; and sisters, Mary DeLory, Helen Ferradino, Viola Guest, Emily Evans, Dorothy Paul, Betty Yourchisin and Margaret Hoff.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at St. Patrick Church, 225 N. Main St., Hubbard, where the family will greet friends and family from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., when the memorial Mass will begin. Private burial in Hubbard Union Cemetery will follow.

A meal to celebrate his life with be held at the VFW Hall, 710 W. Liberty St., Hubbard, immediately following.

The family requests any material contributions be made to St. Patrick Church or the American Red Cross, an organization that was instrumental during the tornado that hit the Hubbard community in 1985.

Schlup-Pucak Funeral Home, Akron, is entrusted with the final care. The family would also wish to thank the Willis- Reynolds Funeral Home, Newton, N.C.

The Schlup Pucak Funeral Home is honored to serve the Pucak family. Messages and memories of Richard can be shared at www.schluppucakfh.com.

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