Floyd Arthur Buck

Hyde Park-Floyd Arthur Buck, fondly known to everyone as “Buck”, died peacefully at age 88 on Monday, January 26, 2015, at The Manor in Morrisville with his wife, Gloria and daughter, Sandy by his side. He was born July 28, 1926 in Newport Center, the son of Arthur and Lena Ovitt Buck.

Buck became an entrepreneur at an early age milking and caring for 36 cows during high school. He graduated from Newport Center High School in 1945.

Buck married Ruth Fox and they were united in marriage for 45 years until her passing in 1992. Together Buck and Ruth had first farmed in Coventry. Their home burned in 1957 and they relocated to Wolcott. There they bought and operated a small grocery store that later grew into Vermont’s largest furniture store, “Buck’s Furniture of Wolcott”. After Ruth’s passing, Buck and daughter, Sandra Howard continued to operate the store until it closed in April, 2014. Buck married Gloria Buzzi on August 11, 1995.

Buck was a very generous giver and helped the neighboring communities in many ways. Buck and Ruth were instrumental in founding the Wolcott Fire Department by purchasing the department’s first truck. They also matched funds raised in the annual “Love Lights a Tree” benefit and greatly supported the American Cancer Society and the Ronald McDonald House. After Ruth’s passing Buck pledged a lift chair to the hospice program on a yearly basis. Buck and Gloria dressed as Mr. & Mrs. Claus each year at Christmastime and delivered rocking chairs to nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout VT, NH and Northern NY. Buck was instrumental in reviving and beautifying the Taylor Cemetery on Gulf Road in Wolcott.

Buck loved furniture and loved going to the markets in North Carolina and many cities in the United States. Buck and Gloria drove across the United States and back four times and visited many of their vendor’s factories along the way as well as any furniture stores they could find. He always loved learning from other furniture stores and continued to read “Furniture Today” right up until his passing.

Buck’s favorite hobbies were traveling and eating out at fine restaurants. Together, he and Gloria traveled to many places including Canada, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, England, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Russia, China, Thailand, and a special favorite place, St. Maarten. His favorite foreign destination was China where they were fortunate to take a boat trip on the Yangtze River before it was flooded to become the Three Gorges Dam. He also enjoyed visiting every U.S. Presidential Library and Museum.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria Buck; daughter, Sandra Howard and her husband, Roger of Hardwick and Woodbury; step-daughter, Cindy Myhre and husband, Steve of Middlebury; and step-son, Bryce Simpson of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and two grandsons, Justin Myhre of Queens, NY and Andrew Myhre of Middlebury; also surviving are niece, Wanda Denham and husband, Stewart of Cottonwood, CA and their children, Bonnie Denham and daughter, Haley and Jesse Denham; nephew, Rock Jewett and wife, Diane of North Franklin, CT and their children, Greg and Kim Jewett; Danielle Jewett and Darline and John Michaud and children, Traci and Leah; niece, Jamie Morneault and husband, Brian of Thomaston, CT and their son, Jake Morneault; Gloria’s family and also many friends made over the years and his beloved cat “Miss Phoebe”, whom he called “Rotten”.

In addition to his first wife, Ruth, he was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Beulah and her husband, Dale.

A gathering for family and friends will be held at the Faith Funeral Home, 165 Brooklyn St. in Morrisville on Saturday, January 31 from 2 to 4 p.m. Private burial will be at the convenience of the family in Taylor Cemetery in Wolcott at a later date. Online condolences may be made by visiting faithfh.net.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Buck’s memory may be made to Lamoille Home Health and Hospice, 54 Farr Avenue, Morrisville, VT 05661.