Warren L. Buccanero, 86, of Iron
Belt, died Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation
Center in Hurley. He was born Aug. 25, 1926, in Iron Belt, son
of the late Louis and Elsie (Beiersdorff) Buccanero, and graduated from Iron
Belt High School in 1944. He entered the U.S. Army on Nov. 21, 1944, proudly
serving his country during World War II on Okinawa and in Occupation Forces in
Korea, and was honorably discharged as a sergeant on Oct. 31, 1946. Following his discharge, Warren received an
associate degree in education form Gogebic Community College in 1949, a Bachelor
of Arts degree from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich. in 1951,
and a Master's degree from Superior State Teachers College in Superior in 1956.
He taught, and was supervising principal, in Iron Belt from 1951-1957, then
taught at J. E. Murphy High School in Hurley from 1957 until his retirement in
1986. He taught many wonderful students in his 35-year teaching career, his
favorite class being the J.E. Murphy Class of 1966. Warren was a member of St. Mary's Catholic
Church in Hurley, Hurley American Legion Post 58, and Iron County Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post 1580. He served three terms on the Iron Belt town board and
was chairman for two of those terms, served on the Iron County Board of
Supervisors for ten years, and was a member of the Hurley School Board of
Education for three years, from 1995 -1998. He married Mary Kuzelon on Aug. 25, 1951. She
preceded him in death on Aug. 8, 1966. He then married was married to Milda Bristol
on July 27, 1968, at the St. Ann's Catholic Church rectory in Saxon. She
preceded him in death on Oct. 28, 2003. Surviving are a daughter, Cheryl Ruppe (Art
Munari), Ironwood, Mich.; granddaughter, Kristen Ruppe (Paul Anderson), Avon,
Colo.; grandson, Tom Ruppe, Ironwood; niece, Lori (Jerry) DeCarlo, and
grandnieces, Amanda and Jerika DeCarlo, all of Ironwood; special godchild and
cousin, Debby (Jerry) McGrath, Ironwood; cousins, Geri (Gerald) Finco, Ironwood,
Denny (Chris) Levra, Oklahoma, Carol (John) Peterson, Coleraine, Minn., Mike
(Diane) Buccanero, Virginia, Minn., and Marcia (Louie) Provinzino, Hibbing,
Minn.; and other cousins and special neighbors. Besides his parents and wives, Warren was
predeceased by his son-in-law, Tom Ruppe, on Dec. 15, 2001; brother, Lowell; and
sister-in-law, Gloria Buccanero. Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has
taken place. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated
Saturday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at St.
Mary's Church in Hurley, with the Rev. Frank Kordek OFM, celebrant. Full military honors will be accorded by the
combined Iron Co. VFW Post 1580 and Hurley American Legion Post 58 Honor Guard,
with luncheon to follow at the Iron Nugget in downtown Hurley. Rite of Committal and interment will be in
Hillside Cemetery, Iron Belt, in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to
St. Mary's Church, 404 Iron St., Hurley, WI 54534. Condolences may be given to Warren's family
online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick
Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.