Wilfred L. van
Buskirk, Jr., 91, longtime resident of High Street, Ipswich and
husband of the late Viola G. (Gianakakis) van Buskirk, died
Tuesday, November 5, 2013 in the Golden Living Center,
Gloucester, following his brief illness.
Born in
Providence, Rhode Island June 4, 1922, son of the late Wilfred
L.. and Helen (Taylor) van Buskirk, he was raised in Topsfield,
a 1940 graduate of Topsfield High School. Following graduation
he entered the US Navy. During WWII he served as a gunner’s mate
aboard PT313 in the Mediterranean . He was an Honorably
Discharged veteran decorated with a “Combat Action Ribbon”.
Married in 1948 in the Greek Orthodox Church in Ipswich, the van
Buskirks made their home and raised their family at his late
High Street address. Throughout the years he was employed as a
draftsman in the Turbine Division of General Electric in Lynn
retiring in 1979.
As a youth he
played high school varsity football and basketball. Growing up
he and his friends enjoyed their many swims in Hoods Pond. As an
adult he enjoyed classic automobiles and auto repair.
He was a Charter
Member of the I.U.E. #201 in Lynn, a member of Ipswich V.F.W.
Post #1093, Boston DAV Post and the Ipswich American Legion Post
#92.
He is survived
by a son, Peter van Buskirk of Gloucester; a daughter, Sandra
Gauthier and her husband William of Ipswich; seven
grandchildren, Bradley van Buskirk of Gloucester, Elissa Bishop
of Seattle, Sasha Berry of Ipswich, Maia Jordan of Beverly,
Aimee Gauthier, Arianne Gauthier and Gabrielle Gauthier all of
Ipswich; five great grandchildren; a brother, William van
Buskirk of Topsfield and three nieces.
His funeral
service with Military Honors will be held 10 am Friday, November
8 in the Cowles Memorial Cemetery, Town Farm Road, Ipswich.
Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. Arrangements are
under the direction of the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of
Ipswich.
In lieu of
flowers memorial contributions in his name may be made to St.
Jude Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
