Obituary of Malcolm Miles Buchner

Malcolm Miles Buchner, 96, of Hermance Road, Galway, passed away peacefully on Christmas Morning, at Mountain Valley Hospice in Gloversville following a brief illness. Born in Amsterdam, New York on June 28, 1914, he was the son of the late Frank Buchner and Jessie Adebahr Buchner. He was predeceased by his brother and sisters, Lewis Buchner, Augusta Buchner Slocum, and Margaret Buchner Phillips. A resident of Rockton in Amsterdam for nearly 70 years, he was a graduate of W. H. Lynch High School. As a young man he played ice hockey with the Rockton Athletic Club. He was co-owner, with his brother Lewis, of Buchner Brothers, Painting and Decorating, Inc. The company was founded by his father as Frank Buchner and Sons. Malcolm was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific, in both the Philippines and Japan. On November 26, 1944, while home on leave from the Army, he and Gladys Rockwell were married at the Forest Avenue Methodist Church in Amsterdam. After living for over 35 years on Finlay Street in Amsterdam, in 1982 Malcolm and Gladys renovated the Buchner family camp in West Galway to be their retirement home. Their acre of land includes fruit trees, beautiful perennials and annuals, and vegetable gardens, attracting many varieties of birds, small animals, and deer. Malcolm's favorite hobbies included woodworking, photography, gardening and bird watching. Malcolm was also an avid boater, belonging for many years to the United States Power Squadron and the Sacandaga Boat Club. He was a lifelong sportsman and a founding member of the Buell Valley Hunting Club in Indian Lake. Malcolm is survived by his wife of 66 years, Gladys Rockwell Buchner and by his four children: Gail Michael Breen of Schoharie, Lee Peeke of Mariaville, Rebecca Buchner of Saratoga Springs, and Rocky Pam Buchner of Hagadorn Mills. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Tracy Jason D'Amore Breen, Katherine Breen, Patrick Lindsay Breen, Jill Peeke, Christopher Peeke, Laura Tim Burda, Jason Tara Penge, Clinton Buchner, Craig Buchner, T. J. Buchner, and Drew Buchner as well as 8 great-grandchildren: Aidan, Tobey, and Jonah D'Amore, Cody and Casey Burda, Devon and Keirsten Penge, and Francesca Below; and several nephews and nieces. There will be no calling hours. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Malcolm's name to the Galway Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 151, Galway, NY, 12074. The family would like to thank Dr. Soo Lee and his staff, the staff of the Amsterdam Dialysis Center, the staff of the M5 Unit at Albany Medical Center, and the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice. Arrangements are by Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home.