Raymond “Bud” Painter, 91, passed away quietly at his daughter’s home February 13, 2016. Bud was born in Venice Center to Ray and Mabel Painter. A graduate of Auburn Central High School, he was a talented athlete playing basketball for various Church leagues and was the catcher for the Spark Plug Team when they won the 1942 City Softball Championship. He even caught for Monk Curtin. Bud was a familiar high school basketball referee well into the 1960’s and also coached Pony
and Little League Baseball.
During WW II Bud served as a radio operator and a right waist Gunner on a B-17 airplane. He flew 26 combat missions with the 8th Air Force in The European Theater and reached the
rank of Tech Sergeant.
After the service Bud started working with New York Telephone as an installer and put in many of the original phones in the Cayuga County area. He retired as a testman in 1981 after 35 years. During retirement he traveled extensively with his wife, Bebe, visiting every state at least once except Montana and Minnesota. They spent their winters in Tampa, Fla. where he was a member of the Incarnation Church and Fountainview Men’s Club.
While in Auburn, Bud was a member of the Donald R Ward Veterans Post, Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Church and the Telephone Pioneers and in his younger years an Owasco Volunteer Fireman. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of Highland Golf Course for many years. During retirement he also took up painting and leaves behind many of his beautiful pictures.
He is survived by a son, Michael (Liz Andrews), of Florida, daughters, Barbara “Bonnie” (Bob) Rooker of Auburn, Mary “Betsy” (John) Mullane of Cicero; 1 brother, David, of North Carolina, 8 grandchildren; Kachelle Painter, Beckie Rooker Johnson, Brian Rooker, Carrie Rooker Love, Randy Hadden, Kelly Hadden Rainisch, Bryan Mullane and Julie Mullane, 20 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his wife of 67 years Elizabeth (Bebe) Schreck Painter, a son, William, and sister, Vivian Phalen.
A memorial service celebrating Bud’s life will be
scheduled in the Spring.
In Lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to the Owasco Fire Department, 7174 Owasco Rd, Auburn NY 13021.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com
and Little League Baseball.
During WW II Bud served as a radio operator and a right waist Gunner on a B-17 airplane. He flew 26 combat missions with the 8th Air Force in The European Theater and reached the
rank of Tech Sergeant.
After the service Bud started working with New York Telephone as an installer and put in many of the original phones in the Cayuga County area. He retired as a testman in 1981 after 35 years. During retirement he traveled extensively with his wife, Bebe, visiting every state at least once except Montana and Minnesota. They spent their winters in Tampa, Fla. where he was a member of the Incarnation Church and Fountainview Men’s Club.
While in Auburn, Bud was a member of the Donald R Ward Veterans Post, Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Church and the Telephone Pioneers and in his younger years an Owasco Volunteer Fireman. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of Highland Golf Course for many years. During retirement he also took up painting and leaves behind many of his beautiful pictures.
He is survived by a son, Michael (Liz Andrews), of Florida, daughters, Barbara “Bonnie” (Bob) Rooker of Auburn, Mary “Betsy” (John) Mullane of Cicero; 1 brother, David, of North Carolina, 8 grandchildren; Kachelle Painter, Beckie Rooker Johnson, Brian Rooker, Carrie Rooker Love, Randy Hadden, Kelly Hadden Rainisch, Bryan Mullane and Julie Mullane, 20 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his wife of 67 years Elizabeth (Bebe) Schreck Painter, a son, William, and sister, Vivian Phalen.
A memorial service celebrating Bud’s life will be
scheduled in the Spring.
In Lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to the Owasco Fire Department, 7174 Owasco Rd, Auburn NY 13021.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com
