Obituary of Francis B. Bond

NORWOOD— Retired U.S. Army Veteran Francis B. "Buzzy" Bond Jr., age 66, died on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 2016, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY surrounded by family. Buzzy Bond was born on November 13, 1949 in Potsdam, NY to Francis, Sr. and Elizabeth Shantie-Bond. In 1965, he joined the U.S. Army where he was assigned to Fort Campbell in Kentucky. Between 1965-1968, he was deployed to Vietnam three times, serving with Company A 1st BN 327th Airborne Infantry 101st Airborne Division. Buzzy became a highly decorated soldier, receiving many medals for his exceptional bravery and leadership skills. Those include the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with V Device and two Oak Leaves, Air Medal with Oak Leaf, Purple Heart with six Oak Leaves, the ARMY Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal with Clasp, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with six Stars, Vietnam Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Medal of Honor, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross, Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Vietnamese Ranger Jump Wings with Gold Star, Air Assault Badge, 7 Presidential Unit Citations and the Conspicuous Service Cross of New York State. Buzzy was discharged with full military honors in 1975. His commitment to brotherhood carried on through civilian life too. With nerves of steel, he joined the United Steelworkers and helped build the original 1 World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. In 1985, he enrolled at the State University of New York at Canton earning a degree in Mortuary Science. He became a Funeral Director with Buck Funeral Home and later a lock operator for the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Buzzy was a passionate volunteer life member of several organizations and clubs. Those include the 101st Airborne Association 575, VFW 1143, DAV, Purple Heart, American Legion Post 79, Legion of Valor, Master Mason of Masonic Lodge 689, 32nd Degree Mason, Shriner Media Temple and 82nd Airborne Association. Buzzy is survived by his wife, Helma Bond as well as six children: Preston and Julie Bond; Jeff and Nikki Bond, Brian LaDue; Angus and Christine Ladue; Sonja Stark and Christina Stark. He will also be greatly missed by his first wife, Priscilla and a large circle of grandchildren. Buzzy is also survived by a brother Frederick; two sisters, Cheryl Terrance and Susan Bond; two half-brothers, Scott and Tom Bond and his three half-sisters, Robin Monroe, Sherry Cahoun and Tammy Dayrit. Buzzy was pre-deceased by a sister Mary Jane Kinney and a half-brother Steven Bond. Services will be held Saturday, November 19 at 10 a.m. at Buck Funeral Home in Norwood, NY. Burial will follow at a family plot in St. Hubert's Cemetery in Star Lake. Calling hours for family and friends will be held at Buck Funeral Home in Norwood on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Memorial Donations in his memory can be made to the VFW Post 153, Baldwinsville, NY 13027. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.buckfuneralhome.com .