Dean “Buck” Allen York, Sr., age 78, of Stonington passed away at home on Wednesday, April 14, 2021.
Dean was born on September 21, 1942 in Traverse City, MI the son of Carl and Emma (Urban) York. He graduated from the Gladstone High School in 1960. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Bernice Schnur in Ann Arbor, MI in 1967. Buck served his country proudly in the United States Army and was stationed at the Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. He worked as a millwright for General Motors in Livonia, MI for many years, retiring in 1991. He was an active lifelong member of the Masons and Shriners and an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman.
Dean is survived by his children, Harold York of Novi, MI, Dean (Janice) York of Jackson, MI and Christina (Robert) Tawse of Northville, MI; 3 grandsons, 1 great grandson and his brother, Carl (Lori) York.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his parents, sister, Doris Walter and brother, Louis York.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 17 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Memorial services will follow at 11:00 AM with Pastor Diane Srutowski officiating. Masonic Rites will be presented by Delta Lodge 195 of the Free and Accepted Masons. A luncheon will follow at the Escanaba Elks Lodge.
Gerry Niedermaier - Wauwatosa, WI
I remember Dean from high school. He was always a pleasant guy, smiled a lot and was nice to be around.
My sympathy to his family members.
Jeffrey Kling - Greendale, WI
Met Buck and his wife in Milwaukee at a local hospital. The three of us just clicked, like we were friends a long time. Kept in touch with weekly phone calls, talking most of the time at least an hour about anything and everything. Lots of laughs and the occasional heart to heart. Buck loved to be in his workshop, and when the weather was good ( sometimes hard to come by up there) loved to be out in the woods. I truly treasured our friendship, and will miss the Sunday evening phone calls. Buck had a very strong faith. The world is going to be a little less perfect with his passing. Heart felt sympathies to his family and friends from the “guy in Milwaukee”
Carl and Jan Walter - Suttons Bay, MI
We will miss bringing him 3 lugs if cherries, 2 bushels of peaches and 1 bushel of apples. He loved his fruit! He will be sadly missed. A piece of our hearts are now missing. He has now joined Dorothy, we loved them both. So glad our grandchildren got to know him. They always included him in their group hug,
Carl York - Nolensville, TN
Buck had an innate ability to build things, from simple tools to a complete workshop and a lakeside all-weather cabin on the shores of Lake Michigan, which he swore he would never leave.
My brother, Buck and I were raised in Traverse City, Michigan. After graduating from Traverse City High School he joined the Army. Upon completing his term, in view of his mechanical skills, he entered the Millwright Skilled Trade Program at the GM plant in Livonia, Michigan. He completed this program and worked through to his retirement as a Skilled Tradesman and enjoyed every moment of it.
Buck couldn’t wait to get back to Northern Michigan. Finding a cabin site on the shores of Lake Michigan he built the place that became Buck and Dorothy’s home.
When Dorothy passed away several years ago, Buck decided that he was settled and continued their lifestyle of making maple syrup, harvesting timber, hunting deer and crafting beautiful furniture in his workshop and always welcoming his family.
Buck will truly be missed.