Albert Bunce, former longtime resident of Cosdrew Lane in East Hampton, died on September 17 in Lady Lake, Florida, from complications of surgery. He was 83.
Born Albert Joseph Bunce on June 8, 1932, in Ozone Park, Mr. Bunce, known to all as “Al,” was the eldest of five children born to Catherine Jean Zawadski and Albert Ray Bunce. He married Patricia Needham on August 9, 1952, and they were married for more than 60 years until her death in 2013.
In 1967, after living some time in Patchogue, Mr. Bunce moved his family to East Hampton, where they lived first on Osborne Lane, finally settling in at their home of 40 years on Cosdrew Lane, where the door was always open for friends and family. From 1973 through 1978, he worked in Saudi Arabia as a logistics construction supervisor. He traveled back and forth to East Hampton to be with his family during those years. After the work was complete in the Middle East, he started his own steel building company, which soon became Al Bunce & Sons Construction Co. In early 1990, he partnered in the family business of Long Island Coffee Company and Vermont Pure Bottled Water. The business was sold and he and his wife moved to The Villages in Lady Lake in 2006 to retire and enjoy the warmer temperatures and visitors from the north. There they very soon met new friends to add to their treasured friends in East Hampton.
In the late 1960s, Mr. Bunce coached his sons on Schwenk’s Dairy Little League team, and he continued on to do so for 16 years. He was known to pile as many kids in his car as possible heading to games and always made sure his teams first and foremost laughed, had fun and learned sportsmanship. His favorite rivalry back then was the Pantigo Team, coached by his longtime friend Fred Bock. He was a 32-year member of Company No. 6 in the East Hampton Fire Department and a Brother Mason in the Star of the East Lodge for 30 years.
“Pop,” as he was called by his children, would be described as always positive, steady and loyal, survivors said. He and his wife traveled many miles over the years, never missing the opportunity to see his sons or grandchildren participate in school sports, and he was often known to be quite enthusiastic during wrestling matches—during all contests for that matter, according to survivors. He loved the ocean beaches of East Hampton, particularly Wyborg’s Beach, and spent much time there with his family when his children were young. One of his favorite trips in the last few years was to see his grandson Michael Bunce Jr. play for Team USA in the 21-and-under World Rugby Championships in Guyana.
Last October Mr. Bunce made the trip back to East Hampton to stay with his son Kevin and visit family and friends. It was then he attended one grandson’s wedding and a football game of another grandson. It was what he lived for and always looked forward to, survivors said, and the visit was a very happy time for him—the perfect vacation. His son Kevin said that his father was always supportive of him and every one of his siblings, calling him “a father who was always happy, upbeat and ready for anything and enjoyed everyone in his life and was loyal to his friends. He was just always there for us.”
Mr. Bunce is survived by his children, Robin Shepherd and husband Donny Sr. of North Carolina, Michael Sr. and wife Jeanne of Florida, Kevin Sr. and wife Meg of East Hampton and Keith and wife Lynda of North Carolina. Another son, Bruce, predeceased him in 2013. He is also survived by a sister, Penny Defraia of New Mexico; eight grandchildren, John, Amy, Michael Jr., Christopher, Robert, Donny Jr., Kevin Jr. and Georgia; and two great-grandchildren, Steve and Jack; plus many nieces, nephews and good friends.
On October 3, a private family service was held in Lady Lake, officiated by Mr. Bunce’s family pastor and friend, Charlie Rumpel. His remains were cremated and his ashes will be spread off Wyborg’s Beach in a memorial service next year. Donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.
on Oct 5, 2015