William R Ruckey

William Robert “Bill” Ruckey, 81, of Templeton, fought his way past disease Wednesday, May 22, 2019, surrounded by his loving family who encouraged him as he set sail on his final mission.

Bill was born in Gardner on October 9, 1937, the son of William J. and Josephine (Szymakowski) Ruckey. He graduated from Gardner High School with the Class of 1955, Worcester Boys Trade in 1958, and received his Associates Degree in Engineering from Mount Wachusett Community College of Gardner in 1976.

Bill proudly served his Country as a United States Navy Veteran and received the Good Conduct Medal. A Naval Aviation Structural Mechanic Honor Man and talented craftsman, he taught his welding, sheet metal and wood craft to his son Kenn. Bill was owner/operator of Ruckey’s Sheet Metal and Welding Company of Templeton for 32 years, retiring in 2000.

He was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed trapping, pheasant and deer hunting in Massachusetts, Vermont and New York, fishing on Plum Island, Lake Champlain, and at the Quabbin Reservoir, and treasure hunting with his metal detector in places such as Germany, France and Templeton Common. Bill was a member of the VFW Post 905 of Gardner and the Massachusetts Treasure Hunting Association of Newton.

Bill was predeceased by his wife and high school sweetheart, Joyce Marion (LeBlanc) Ruckey; daughter, Theresa Ann Ruckey; father, William J. Ruckey; and sister, Theresa Ruckey.

Bill leaves his mother, Josephine Ruckey; daughters, Denise Ruckey Karbarz and Catherine A. Ruckey; son, Kenneth Allan Ruckey; grandson, Eric Robert Grady and his fiancée Jessica Johns; granddaughters, Kenna Allana Ruckey and Faith Alyssa Ruckey; and great-grandson by love Isaiah Moore. Bill also leaves his brothers, Allan Ruckey and wife Jacqueline Ruckey, and Chester Ruckey; sister-in-law, Jean Ruckey; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, half brothers and sisters, nephews, nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, May 29th from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner with a Mass at 11:30 a.m. in Holy Spirit Church, 50 Lovewell Street, Gardner. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, May 28th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Town of Templeton Veterans Services, 160 Patriots Road, East Templeton, MA 01438. Please reference in memory of William R. Ruckey.