Philip Gunzinger

Cobleskill- Mr. Philip "Bud" F. Gunzinger, 62, of Golding Drive, died Sunday, March 15, 2009 at his residence with his family at his side.

Born September 27, 1946 in Brattleboro, VT, he was the son of Philip C. Gunzinger and his mother, Elizabeth (Fraser) Gunzinger, who predeceased him.

He was a 1964 graduate Mt. Everett Regional High School and attended Bridgewater State University until serving in the Vietnam War from 1966 until 1969, when he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army.

While serving his country, Bud was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal for outstanding meritorious service as platoon sergeant. He attended Army Prep School and was a candidate for West Pointe Academy.

Bud was a Lumber Broker for 35 years, and most recently was employed at Home Depot in Amsterdam, NY. He was a member of the National Lumbermen's Assoc. As an active member of our community and local organizations, Bud was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge #2040; Fred L. Stilson American Legion Post #57; coached girls softball, little league and served as commissioner for 10 years,coached Babe Ruth, boys' elementary basketball, founder of the Little Dawgs Football League, founder of the Cobleskill Boxing Club, President of the Adirondack Boxing Assoc. and President of the USA Boxing/New England Region; chairperson of Adirondack Boxing for Empire State Games.

Survivors include his wife, Donna (Mihalko) Gunzinger, whom he married June 19, 1971; his daughter, Kristi (Gunzinger) Kenney and her husband, Jay of Clifton Park; his son, Ryan Gunzinger and his wife, Tonya, of Richmondville; his father, Philip C. Gunzinger of Great Barrington, MA; 3 sisters: Candice (Eddie) Litwinczyk of Bristol, CT, Deborah (David) Steuerwald of Middletown, CT, and Susie (Mike) Barrier of Great Barrington, MA; his brother, Terry (Linda) Gunzinger of Winslow, Maine; 4 grandchildren: Quinn Kenney, Avery Kenney, Riley Kenney, and Matthew Gunzinger; and a very large and loving family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 138 Washington Ave., Cobleskill with Father Thomas Holmes as celebrant. Family and friends are invited to a period of visitation from 3 to 7 PM on Wednesday at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm Street, Cobleskill.

Memorial contributions may be made to Marathon for a Better Life, P.O. Box 268, Warnerville, NY 12187.