H. Buswell Roberts

Age 94, died July 19, 2011 of natural causes in Sacramento, California where he resided with son and daughter-in-law Miles and Chie Roberts. Born in Buffalo, New York, March 9, 1917, Bus attended St. Mark’s School and Bennett High School. At Canisius College he was president of his senior class and is installed in the Hall of Fame. Bus attended Georgetown School of Law. In World War II he served in the Special Intelligence Service of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducting counter-intelligence operations against the German military in Santiago, Chile. Bus taught Business Administration at Canisius College and was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional convention. He was hired by Mayor Frank Sedita as a key aide and speechwriter, was Deputy Corporation Counsel, and later served with distinction as Chief Judge of the City Court of Buffalo until mandatory retirement at 70. Bus served as Supreme Court arbitrator past his 80th birthday. He was a life-long resident of the City of Buffalo. A lover of music, he sang in a barbershop quartet along with brothers William and Harold. Bus was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous for over 50 years. He founded the City Court group and chaired the annual Father’s Day breakfast. An influential member of the AA community, he was always available to help a struggling alcoholic. Bus was predeceased in 2002 by his loving wife Irene of 57 years, and in 2005 by his loving daughter Julie. Bus is survived by his sister Carol Marie; daughters Marguerite (Barry) Rupp and Suzanne Abram; sons Buswell, Jr. (Deborah); Miles (Chie), Leland, Reginald (Lynn) and David (Brenda); 16 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. A memorial mass will take place 11:30 AM, August 6, 2011 at St. Mark’s Church in Buffalo.