David John Bucknavich “Buck”

December 8, 1941 - September 5, 2022

David John Bucknavich “Buck”, 80, a seasonal resident of North Fort Myers, FL and Punta Gorda (Deep Creek), FL since 1993, passed away Monday, September 5, 2022, in Cape Coral, FL. He was born December 8,1941 in Detroit, MI to Joseph and Lottie Bucknavich, now deceased.

David was of the Catholic faith and attended St. Therese Catholic Church in North Fort Myers. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, godfather, avid sportsman/hunter, marathon runner (10 runs each 26.0 miles) and a courageous firefighter who saved many lives and put out many fires. During his 27-year career with the Warren Fire Department (MI), Buck advanced in rank and retired as Captain in 1993. After moving to Florida, he soon joined the elite team of selfless public servants of the Florida Forest Service as a forest ranger/wildland firefighter to protect the citizens, homes, businesses, and natural resources of Florida.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Diane Bucknavich of North Fort Myers, FL; children, LauraAnn Migliore-Nolan (Thomas Nolan) of Cape Coral, FL and Robert “Bob” Bucknavich (Miranda) of Grafton Township, OH; siblings, James “Jim” Bucknavich [(Sylvia, Judy (deceased)] of Auburn Hills, MI, John Bucknavich (Rosie) of Greater Phoenix Area, AZ, and Mabel Jean of Rochester, MI; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; as well as grandchildren, Anthony, Joseph, and Daniel.

David was preceded in death by his brother, Norby Andrews (Betty) of Detroit Metropolitan Area, MI and brother-in-law, Robert “Bob” Wachowski (Debbie, Sylvia) of Crossville, TN also deceased.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, October 24, 2022 at St Therese Catholic Church, 20115 N Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers, FL 33903 with Pastor Jan Antonik officiating.

A second memorial service will be held in Clinton Township, MI at a later date. Details to be announced via www.MullinsMemorial.com.

Memorial Contributions in memory of David John Bucknavich are suggested to International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Foundation, 1750 New York Ave NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006 or online at https://www.iafffoundation.org. You can also choose the IAFF Foundation on https://smile.amazon.com/charity?orig=%2F and Amazon will donate 0.50% of eligible purchases to the IAFF Foundation. 

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. LauraAnn Sep 9, 2022 at 12:35 pm

    Dear Dad,
    As I reflect back on your life and mine, I truly appreciate your strong work ethic and commitment to excellence led by your many examples. I remember your late night studying at the kitchen table in pursuit of your fire science degree, which inspired me and contributed to my academic success years later via God’s grace. You were a great provider to your family and you had a wicked sense of humor that would expel food or water through the nose and mouth if eating/drinking while listening to your stories/jokes! You will be greatly missed.! Rest In Peace. We shall laugh again having great joy together with Jesus in heaven.
    Love you,
    LauraAnn

  2. Jim bucknavich Sep 9, 2022 at 12:46 pm

    I will miss my big brother; we were very close and did a lot of fishing and hunting together. He led a full life with a loving wife , children and grandchildren. What more could a man ask for? May he Rest In Peace. Jim and Sylvia Bucknavich

  3. Reg Behlmer Sep 9, 2022 at 6:08 pm

    We will miss your smiles and laughter. Also playing cards!

  4. Robert Bucknavich Sep 9, 2022 at 6:20 pm

    Dear Dad,
    I could not have asked for a better Father. You will be missed, but I know we will all be together again someday in Gods kingdom.
    We had some wonderful times together, especially all our hunting adventures. I will always remember the good laughs we had. I will always remember your words of encouragement when life got hard.
    Thanks to you and Ma, I was able to pass on the good virtues of life to my Sons Joe and Dan.
    May God bless you, you will be missed and thought of often. Goodbye for now.
    Your Son Bob

  5. Pam Murphy Sep 9, 2022 at 11:10 pm

    Words can not express, how very sorry i am, Diane, Laura Ann and family. Dove was one special man. I always enjoyed, seeing him and Diane at the Sabal pool. Your thoughts and prayers are with your all. ❤️❤️🙏🙏

  6. James Nielsen Sep 11, 2022 at 11:40 am

    Buck was my Lieutenant at the old station two, which we endearingly labeled the “Nut House”. I can still remember vividly the day we were supposed to do “ladder” training. After hearing our crew whine about taking our ladders off the engine, Buck came up with a great plan. “We will just pretend”. So there we are out in front of the station on 9 mile road, pretending to climb up our fake ladders. We all had a good laugh as Buck had a way of making a tedious moment fun. I also had a great time chasing “eyes” on the Detroit River with Dave. Whether we caught a limit or got skunked the stories Dave would tell will stay with me forever. Above all Dave loved his wife and children. I am sure you will hold dearly all of your memories of a very kind, generous and loving man. Rest in peace “Buck”

  7. marianne bragg Sep 11, 2022 at 12:37 pm

    Dear David,
    I remember our childhood visits together in Detroit. Much later Mother brought Michael and I to visit in Detroit and we had a meal with your family. Mother was very fond of Lottie and admired the way she carried on with her boys after the loss of Joe. Eventually you brought Diane, Laura, and Bob to visit us in New Mexico. Even later, you and Diane came and we drove in the mountains. I have enjoyed knowing you and your family.
    Your cousin, Marianne

  8. Daniel Hollins Sep 11, 2022 at 3:40 pm

    Sorry to hear about Dave’s passing. I worked with Dave on the Warren fire department and always enjoyed his company. My condolences to his family. Rest in peace Buck.

  9. Al Kane Sep 11, 2022 at 6:58 pm

    Dave Rest In Peace

  10. Warren Cook Sep 11, 2022 at 7:02 pm

    Lt Dave (buck) – it was an honor to have had him as a brother on WFD. My prayers and deepest condolences to all his family and friends.

  11. Gary Micu Sep 12, 2022 at 7:02 am

    Worked with Buck at the Warren FD. Deepest condolences to his family. RIP brother.

  12. Bob DiVico Sep 12, 2022 at 9:19 am

    Dave and I came on the Warren Fire Dept. the same day. We ran Marathons together. My wife and I live in Naples Fl. now and I always wanted to look him and his wife up but never got around to it. Lorrie and Bob DiVico want to offer our deepest condolences too Diane Rest In Peace buddy.

  13. Ken Behnke Sep 12, 2022 at 10:35 am

    I worked with Dave at the WFD. He was a kind, friendly man. Always enjoyed working with him. I am sure he made his family very proud. RIP.

  14. Lorrie &. Bob DiVico Sep 12, 2022 at 11:35 am

    Bob and I often spoke about Dave with loving memories. My most impressed memory of Dave was while attending his daughter’s wedding he came up and asked me to dance. I said WOW you’re the father of the bride I’m flattered. After a short spin around the dance floor he walked me back to my table and proceeded to ask the next lady for a dance.
    What a thoughtful man. We will miss him and we send our love to Diane.

  15. Richard Seidl Sep 12, 2022 at 6:47 pm

    Buck was the first member of the Warren Fire Dept. that made me welcome when I first joined in Dec. 1969. We became great friends on our days off. We went bear hunting in Big Bay in the U.P., Pheasant hunting in the mid thump, Deer hunting at his cabin in crooked Lake and in the Marlette area. Fishing on the St. Clair River and Detroit River at night.
    After Buck retired, he invited my wife and I to come for a visit when he lived in Deep Creek, Fl. We had a great time.
    Our families socialized, we went Laura’s and Bob’s weddings and to visiting and watching Dave and Diane ballroom dancing in Florida. We had Pizza at CiCi’s that Dave enjoyed going to eat. (All u can eat with sweet deserts}
    Shirley and I had dinner last Easter with Dave and Diane and daughter Laura and her husband Tom that Diane prepared at their N Ft. Myers home. We will miss Buck immensely. Rest In Peace in your Eternal Life with the Lord my Brother. & Friend.

  16. Richard Seidl Sep 12, 2022 at 6:52 pm

    Richard Seidl Sep 12, 2022 at 6:47 pm
    .
    Buck was the first member of the Warren Fire Dept. that made me welcome when I first joined in Dec. 1969. We became great friends on our days off. We went bear hunting in Big Bay in the U.P., Pheasant hunting in the mid thump, Deer hunting at his cabin in crooked Lake and in the Marlette area. Fishing on the St. Clair River and Detroit River at night.
    After Buck retired, he invited my wife and I to come for a visit when he lived in Deep Creek, Fl. We had a great time.
    Our families socialized, we went Laura’s and Bob’s weddings and to visiting and watching Dave and Diane ballroom dancing in Florida. We had Pizza at CiCi’s that Dave enjoyed going to eat. (All u can eat with sweet deserts}
    Shirley and I had dinner last Easter with Dave and Diane and daughter Laura and her husband Tom that Diane prepared at their N Ft. Myers home. We will miss Buck immensely. Rest In Peace in your Eternal Life with the Lord my Brother. & Friend.

  17. Andy Wiegand Sep 13, 2022 at 1:24 pm

    Rest In Peace Buck. Glad I had the opportunity to be part of your crew at Old Station #2. Good times I will always remember.

    Thoughts and Prayers to the family.

  18. Tom & Carol Chambers Sep 15, 2022 at 4:17 pm

    Words cannot express the sorrow in our hearts over the loss of our Dear Friend, Dave. Our most sincere condolences go out Diane & family. You all our in our thoughts and prayers. May Dave Rest In Peace!

  19. Angela Gendron Sep 16, 2022 at 8:35 am

    My deepest condolences to Diane and family, I spent many early mornings exercising with Dave at Sabal Springs, It was always entertaining. He will be deeply missed,

  20. Carol Simon Sep 16, 2022 at 8:51 am

    So sorry for your loss. He will be missed. Also we all will mis watching you both dance. You guys were the best. Carol Simon and Joe Gaeta

  21. Lila and John Hatoum Sep 16, 2022 at 11:56 am

    Our deepest condolences to you Diane and family, May your cherished memories bring you comfort during this difficult time.

  22. Janice Pazdziora Sep 17, 2022 at 12:58 pm

    Thanks Dave for all the many pontoon rides in Michigan and in Ohio. You would always take the time to entertain us. You were a good friend who shared all you had . You would make me laugh as the Pierogi I made were so big, he said he never saw anything like that. So many memories, even camping trips. I just thank the Lord for your friendship all these years. Rest In Peace you certainly deserve it. Love you eternally.

  23. Edward Pazdziora Sep 17, 2022 at 2:26 pm

    I met Dave on the Warren Fire Dept. We hit it off like we knew each other since childhood. My wife and Diane became best friends and through the years we shared, camping, dancing, pontoon rides with each other and our kids.. However you were a fisherman and I was an accordion player. But as firefighters we were one. I will never forget the memories we shared as friends and I’m grateful to God for our friendship. In heaven you are now with God and his fishermen of men! I will always love you as my best friend.

  24. Werner & Johanna Schoenberger Sep 19, 2022 at 1:33 pm

    Dear Dave

    You were always to the first to arrive at the Sabel Springs gym
    with a smile, but you and Diane were the best early morning
    dancers of the entire community. Rest those feet so that you
    and Diane can Dance again in heaven some day.

  25. Jessica Sep 21, 2022 at 8:15 pm

    Love his smile❤️ Diane, I loved watching you and Dave ballroom dance. Tried to pick up a couple of your steps! I won’t be back to Sable until mid-October but will be thinking of you and your family on the 27th and will say a prayer.

  26. JANICE LAMBERT Sep 26, 2022 at 6:15 pm

    Diane,
    My sincere sympathy to you and your family for the loss of David.
    My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time..RIP David.

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