William P. "Bud" Tacy

Willliam P. “Bud” Tacy of Lee, MA, died of Covid-19 on January 7, 2021.

Bud was born on March 16, 1920 in Westfield, MA to William P. Tacy and Ruth A. Fox. He attended a one-room schoolhouse in Otis and graduated from Lee High School in 1939.

Bud married Helena “Pat” Kennedy on October 26, 1943 in St. Mary’s of Lee. They were married for 72 years before Pat died in 2015. Bud served in World War II from 1943-1946. He was in the 67th Signal Battalion and served across Europe before being shipped to the Philippines. During his service with the U.S. Army during WWII, Bud received the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three stars, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. He wore an Expert Badge with Machine Gun Bar, and a Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine Bar. Bud and Pat exchanged hundreds of love letters during this time apart.

Bud had a love for trucks. As a young man he worked for his father and then started his own retail tank milk business called Tacy Milk. His trucks sold milk all over New England, New York and as far west as Ohio. He sold this business in 1968 to start a truck stop that sold diesel fuel in Lee, MA. His last business venture was creating B & P Sales and Service that sold International Trucks and Western Snow Plows. He retired at age 62. Bud loved making deals and once traded a Scout to Norman Rockwell for one of his signed pieces of art.

When he retired, Bud and Pat bought a second home in Venice, Fl. where they wintered for 25 years. Before that he lived in Otis for 55 years where Bud and Pat raised their family. In the 1970’s, he built a new home on Greenwater Pond in Becket and their last home was in Lenox, MA. Bud has been living at Laurel Lake Assisted Living in Lee, MA since 2014.

Bud belonged to the Greenock Golf Club for many years and golfed well into his 90’s. He was a member of the V.F.W and American Legion. He served as an assessor in Otis for many years. Bud loved to joke and socialize with everyone he came in contact with. His infectious laugh came deep from within.

Bud is survived by his two daughters Patricia “Patsy” Shapiro and husband Robert of Attleboro, MA. Roberta “Bobbie” Dus and partner Rick Callahan of Dalton, MA. Pa’s five grandchildren are Teresa Bills and husband Mark of Pittsfield, Michelle Zeuschner and husband Tim of West Hartford, CT, Lora Kozlowski and husband Brennen of Marco Island, FL., Wendy Leveillee and husband Paul of North Attleboro, MA, Peter Dus Jr. of St. Pete, FL. Five great grandchildren, Karissa, Josh, Rebecca, Paul and Alex.

Bud spent years gardening, attending all family events, golfing, throwing parties and laughing. He adored his family and was so proud of each and every one of them. His 100th birthday party from last March, that he had been planning for over five years, was postponed due to Covid-19. We will still celebrate him with family and friends when the pandemic passes.

Bud was predeceased by his three brothers, Nelson, Charles and Donald. The family would like to thank Laurel Lake Assisted Living for the care they gave Bud.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Bud’s memory to the Lenox Fire Department in care of the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01238. Services are private for the family.