Alan "Buck" Wilson

Alan J. "Buck" Wilson, 73, of Auburn, passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on August 15,1951 in Auburn, he was the son of the late Stewart and Dorothy Kott Wilson. Alan graduated from Central High School in 1969 where he was voted most friendly senior by his classmates. After earning an Associates degree from Auburn Community College, he was employed as a Corrections Officer at numerous prisons throughout the state, ending his career at Five Points Correctional Facility, after 32 years of faithful service. Following his retirement from the prison he became a driver for ARC, a job in which he truly enjoyed. He loved the consumers that he transported, but not as much as they loved him.

Buck loved sports and was an outstanding baseball player. As a teenager he was a member of the 1965 Babe Ruth All-Star Baseball Team, traveling to California where he tallied the game winning hit in the Los Angeles Coliseum. An Auburn Softball Legend, he was a feared home run hitter and enjoyed reliving his glory days playing for the UNC and Swifty's at the Y-Field and Casey Park. He was a die-hard New York Yankee fan and an avid golfer. A member of Dutch Hollow Country Club, Buck played golf almost daily. He coached both youth baseball and CYO basketball for many years and attended every game his son and later his grandchildren played, where he could always be heard yelling from the sidelines.

Buck was often the life of the party, with his dynamic, larger than life personality. He loved having fun and was a 50-year member of the UNC Club, where he also bartended for many years on Thursday nights. He enjoyed solving the daily word JUMBLE in the newspaper, playing the lottery, going out for ice cream in the summertime and watching The Andy Griffith Show, The Price is Right, and his favorite, Jeopardy, which he even tried out for as a contestant. More than anything he cherished spending time with his family. 

Alan was a devout Catholic and member of St Hyacinth Church. Besides being known to many in the community as “Buck” Alan was also lovingly known as “Hon” by his wife “Poppy” and “AJ” by his children, and his favorite names of all, Bompa and Grandpa. At the age of 20 he earned the nickname “The Strongest Man Alive” when he heroically lifted a car that had fallen on his next-door neighbor, saving his life. 

He is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Karen Bashta Wilson; his loving children; daughter Elizabeth Cuddy; son Nicholas Wilson (Sarah); grandchildren Georgia, Jack, Cassidy and Nathan; a brother Bernie Wilson (Mary Jane); and sister Susan Wilson-Scott; along with several nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and friends. In addition to his parents, Alan is recently predeceased by his brother-in-law Ken Scott, and the greatest dog there ever was, his grand-dog, Shelby.

The Wilson family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to all the doctors, nurses and staff of Hematology Oncology Associates of Auburn and to Hospice of CNY for the wonderful care and kindness shown to Alan throughout his illness. Also, a special thank you to Deacons Mike Evans and Andy Roche for their home visits and friendship.  

Calling hours will be conducted Monday, Feb 10th from 4 to 7pm in the White Chapel Funeral Home Inc., 197 South Street, Auburn. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, Feb 11 at 10:30 am at St Hyacinth’s Church in Auburn.

Contributions may be made in memory of Buck to Hospice of CNY, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or to a local food pantry.

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