NORWICH – Charles (Bud) Cummings Jr., 78, of Norwich, passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2012 in the Chenango Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.
Bud was born in Walton in March of 1934 the son of Charles and Cora Jennings Lamphere Cummings Sr. He attended school in Unadilla and as a young man worked on his sisters farm in Maryland, NY. In June of 1951 Bud entered the United States Air Force serving his country until his honorable discharge in June of 1955. Upon leaving the military he moved to the state of Maryland where he began a longtime career as a painting contractor. He first worked in Maryland with his brother-in-law Lansing ‘Bud’ Post before moving back to Norwich on 1967 where he and his brother Don started Cummings Brothers Painting. Over the years they became very well know in the area and painted many home in and around the Norwich area.
Aside from his painting, Bud was a great cook and over the years had owned and operated what is now known as the Caboose in downtown Norwich and Bud & Dee’s Diner at Woods Corners. He also had cooked for the Flanagan family at the dog trials, the Oxford Rod and Gun Club and had operated the restaurant at Plaza Lanes.
Above all else, Bud was a family man who loved his family and friends and enjoyed telling stories about his time in Korea.
Bud is survived by his daughter Denise Rae Cummings Laverne, his sister Pat Sutton and his brother Donald Cummings both of Norwich, his grandchildren Neil Ryan LaFever and Jaci Cheyenne Long LaFever and his great granddaughter Ava Rae LaFever. Also surviving is his half sister Jean Case of Norwich and a special friend Ken (Bob) Schroer along with several nieces and nephews.
Bud was predeceased by his wife Dolores Rosa Sweeney Cummings; his sisters Tina Brigham, Joyce Post, Dorothea Shackelton, Letha Wood, Helen Leahy and Wanda Fiaschi.
Memorial services for Bud will be held at noon on Thursday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford will officiate.
Interment will be at the convenience of the family.
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at noon.