Alvin J. "Skip" Buchwald

Age 83, of Gainesville, passed away on October 21, 2026, at the Wyoming County Community Hospital in Warsaw.

He was born on April 5, 1943, in Buffalo, son of the late Alvin and Mary Schell Buchwald. Skip was a graduate of Letchworth Central School, class of 1961. After high school, Skip proudly served our country in the United States Air Force. Following his time in the Air Force, Skip returned home and began his career in law enforcement. He started out as a police officer with the Perry Police Department before joining as an officer with the Warsaw Police Department where he would eventually become the chief of police. Skip went on to be a sheriff’s deputy with the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department and retired in 1992 as a sergeant. When Skip wasn’t on duty he was a very busy man as well. He volunteered his time with the Pike Fire Department; was a member of the Hunt-Stout American Legion Post 1670 in Pike and was a member of the VFW. Skip was also a founding member and captain of the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Posse. He had a huge love of horses and in his spare time liked to go trail riding as well as ride his motorcycle. Skip will be best known though for being a caring man who was always willing to lend a helping hand to whoever needed it.

He is predeceased by his parents; his loving wife Joan Shearing Buchwald; his sisters, Charlotte Eastman, Barbara Dumpleton, and Joann Buchwald.

Skip is survived by his sons, Steve (Jeanne) Buchwald of Lockport, NY, Jim (Deborah) Buchwald of Yellville, AR; his stepson, Sean (Jennie) Buchwald of Franklinville, NY; his sister, Joni Allen; his brother, Paul (Margie) Buchwald; his grandchildren, Kyla (Tim) Giles, Millissa (Hans) Hock, Travis (Mandy) Buchwald, Hannah (John) Geedy, Cody (Samantha) Buchwald; his great grandchildren, Torsten Hock, Brynja Hock, Koen Buchwald, Annalise Geedy, Jackson Geedy, Jameson Buchwald, Robert Buchwald; his brother-in-law, John (Cathy) Shearing; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 11am-1pm at the New Life Fellowship Parrish Hall, 23 Church St., Silver Springs, NY. Skip’s funeral service will be held immediately following visitation at 1pm. Burial at Maple Grove Cemetery in Gainesville following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hunt-Stout American Legion Post 1670, 6301 Lamont Rd, Castile, NY 14427 or the New Life Fellowship Church, 23 Church St., Silver Springs, NY 14550.