Obituary of Richard P. Pucher

Mr. Richard P. Pucher, of Lyndonville, passed away suddenly on October 13, 2018 at his home.

Mr. Pucher was born in Rochester, February 24, 1945, a son of the late Stanley “Sam” and Anna (Waskow) Pucher.  A graduate of Niagara University, he earned a BBA in 1967 and MS Ed. in 1972.  Mr. Pucher was employed by the Lewiston-Porter Sr. High School, as a business education teacher, from 1968-75 and as the Assistant Principal for Administration from 1975-78.  He was appointed the Superintendent of the Richburg Central School in Richburg, NY and served from 1978-81.  In January, 1982, he was appointed Superintendent of the Lyndonville Central School and retired from that position on June, 30, 2000.   He held NYS Permanent Certification in School District Administrator, School Administrator and Supervisor, Secondary School Principal and Accounting and Business Practice and was a member of American Assn. of School Administrators, Assn. for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and NYS Council of School District Administrators. 

Active in the community, Mr. Pucher was a member of the Lyndonville Lions Club, Lyndonville Area Foundation, Wellsville and Lewiston Kiwanis Clubs, Orleans-Niagara Superintendents, Genesee Community College, Orleans Campus Advisory Board, House of Delegates of NYSCOSS and the Commissioner’s Advisory Committee for Rural Schools Program.   He was a member of St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church of Rochester and enjoyed his worldwide travels.  He was dedicated to the field of education and fostering youth.  He published articles in People and Education, and The Council Journal and participated in the Russian Symposium on Education in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia in 1993.

Survivors include his nieces, Julie (Gardner) Torrence, Kris Garcia and Kathy (Paul) Leone; great nieces and nephews, Matthew, Ryan, Brianna, Mckenna, Sophie, Truman and Trevor; many good friends and travel companions.  He was predeceased by his parents, Sam and Anna and his brother, Ted Pucher, in 2003 and his beloved cat, Buddy.

Friends may call on Thursday (4-8) at the Cooper Funeral Home, 215 West Center Street, Medina.  The Rev. Daniel J. Fawls and the Rev. Francis Vivacqua II will concelebrate his Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at 11AM at Holy Trinity Parish/St. Mary’s Church in Medina.  Interment will be in Lynhaven Cemetery, Lyndonville.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Orleans County, POB 489, Albion, NY  14411, American Diabetes Assn., 4955 N. Bailey Avenue,  Suite 217, Amherst, New York, 14226 or St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 940 Ridge Road East, Rochester, NY 14621