John J. Buchal, age 86, of Clinton Corners, NY, passed away on January 18, 2016 after a brief illness.
Born on March 6, 1929, he was the son of five children gifted by God to Bernard J. and M. Agnes (Burdick) Buchal.
John got a kick out of telling people that he was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. Once they took the bait, he would explain he was from the Village of Copenhagen in the Town of Denmark which is northern Lewis County, NY. He recounted winter driving conditions where the roads were so obscured by drifting snow that drivers had to travel the road from memory. He told of snow banks taller than the Greyhound busses that ran between the North Country and points south…. and he had the pictures to prove it.
Growing up in New York’s Tug Hill region during the Great Depression made self-sufficiency a necessity. John considered himself a “Jack of all trades but a Master of none.” Throughout his life he shared his repertoire of skills with his two sons, and his legacy will live on through them.
John put himself through college, graduating from SUNY Albany in 1957. He taught high school math at Kingston City Schools for 28 years, retiring in 1987. While teaching in Kingston he met Mary (McCann) Buchal. They were married on April 3, 1961 and enjoyed 54 years together. She survives at home.
John was a long time member of St. Mary’s Church, Bangall and most recently of St. Joseph Church, Millbrook; a member and treasurer of the Stanford Lions Club; and a former member of the Red Hook/Rhinebeck Elks Lodge #2022. He and Mary were also members of the Tri-Mountain Squares.
John is also survived by two siblings: Lt. Cmdr Robert Buchal (USN, ret.) of Pensacola, FL, Eleanor Simmons of Fort Worth, TX; two sons and five grandchildren Kevin (Lorraine, Timothy, and Konner) of Stillwater, NY and Dennis (April, Jacqueline, Gregory, and Madeline) of Stanfordville, NY as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by an infant sister at birth and a brother Edward (Ned) of Watertown, NY.
Calling hours are Wednesday, January 20, 2016 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8, at  7749 South Main St., Pine Plains. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 AM, Thursday, at St. Joseph Church, 15 North Ave., Millbrook. Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bangall, will be at the convenience of the family.
Donations in John’s memory may be made to the Stanford Fire Co., 6096 Route 82 Stanfordville, NY, 12581; or EWTN, 5817 Old Leeds Rd, Irondale, AL, 35210.
