Albert H. Pye

Albert “Buck” Pye, age 85, of Buzzards Bay, MA died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on May 4, 2013. The son of Albert and Jessie Pye, he was born in Wareham, MA in 1928. He grew up in Onset, MA and graduated from the New Bedford Vocational High School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1948-52. A veteran of the Korean War, he served as Gunnery Sgt in the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade. He was wounded in Seoul, Korea following the invasion of Inchon in 1950. Among numerous decorations and awards, he received the Purple Heart Award, the USMC Good Conduct Medal and the Korean Service Medal. His unit was twice awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

Mr. Pye married his wife Cathleen (Draper) in 1958. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two children and four grandchildren: Steven Pye and his wife Trish (Haynes) of Buzzards Bay, MA and their children Justin and Kayleigh Dube; and Susan (Pye) Hartzell, her husband Peter Hartzell of Alexandria, VA and their daughters Heather and Natalie Hartzell. He leaves a brother Wilfred Pye of Middleboro, MA. He was preceded in death by his sister Priscilla Chase of Bronson, Fla.

He worked in several construction jobs for the US Navy in the South Pacific area in the early 1950s. He went on to have a long and rewarding career as a building contractor on the Cape. He enjoyed working with his customers, crew and subcontractors, and took great pride in the custom homes they built. An avid outdoorsman, he loved boating, fishing and hunting. He was also a big Red Sox fan. He was a member of the Bourne Lion’s Club, Cape Cod Home Builders Association, and a life member of the Wankinquoah Rod & Gun Club in Middleboro, MA. He was active in the USMC How Company 3-5 Reunion group, and very much enjoyed hosting one of their annual reunions in Boston, MA.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, May 8th from 4-7 pm at the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 40 MacArthur Blvd., Bourne MA. A funeral will be held at the Bourne United Methodist Church, 37 Sandwich Rd. on Thursday, May 9th at 10 am. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. Memorial donations may be made to VNA Hospice and Palliative Care, 434 Route 134, Suite D-3, South Dennis, MA 02660.