James Buzzelli Obituary

Buzz and I spent many years together flying AF1. We actually met during my first assignment after pilot training graduation---Charleston AFB, S.C. He was a First lieutenant and I still a brown bar. That's a 2nd Lieutenant for all you civilians!! He was always my best buddy and confidant during those USAF days. He will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Jim.

Dear Jen

Although I didn't meet your Dad, I knew you loved him very much. I know you told me he was in the airfoce, but I didn't know what a distinguished career he had. In terms of his career I do remember when we were in Las Vegas some years, we walked along and there was a place you remembered as somwhere your ( then) young married Mum and Dad would go for a rare night out. It seemed to have a magic for you, and certainly it was magic to hear the story.

From your stories and conversations, I felt as though I had met your Dad. I guess I had , through you.

Please give your mother my heartfelt wishes at this time and of course to you dear friend.

June 17,2006



Dear Yvonne and family,



We just heard of your loss. Jim was a very special person and will be remembered fondly by all that knew him. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

Dear Yvonne and Family:



I was so sorry to learn of your loss. Jim was a very special person and a great neighbor. I remember vividly when he took Ann Webb and me, his neighbors, to the White House for lunch--what a treat. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.



Sincerely,

Yvonne and family--

Jim was loved and respected by all of us who knew him. It was a privilege to fly with Buzz from his earliest days at the 89th. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Mrs Buzzelli and Family:



We were so saddened to hear of your loss of Buzz. We knew him through Cougar Point golf course. He was always such a pleasure when we signed in. We will miss his friendy face at Cougar. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time.



Sincerely:



Chris and Myrna Barton

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Col.Buzz was a true friend and will be missed.

Dear Jim,

It has been a day since we all said our good-bys to you old friend. But there were so many things left unsaid. Before you left us, there always seemed to be time to say and do things. I tried to get in touch last summer without any luck. I thought I would get back again and left without saying hello. So many regrets.



We were not the life long friends like those old Charleston and Andrews people you spent so much time with. Our paths crossed for a short time at Yokota and then again when I arrived at Andrews. What has always impressed me is how you treated people, no matter how long you knew them. We felt as though we had known you for most of our lives. You were truly a friend.



As I was sitting in church listening to Matt talk about his uncle, I thought of the Grandpa Buzz your grandkids would miss. You will still be a great role model for them through the stories Yvonne, the girls and those nieces and nephews have about there times with you.



Buzz old friend, keep an eye on us. There was much love in that church. Happy landings

Mrs. Buzzelli,



We are very sorry for the loss of your husband; you have our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers. We really enjoyed your husband's visits to our office. He was a very nice, friendly gentleman. We will certainly miss him and his interesting stories. Dr. Riker really appreciated the USAF memorabilia Mr. Buzzelli gave him. Please take care and let us know if there is anything we can do for you.

Though I have never met any of you--his obviously proud and beloved family--I can only express my deepest sympathy for your great loss. Col 'Buzz' & I worked together on several projects in our days in SAM--along with Bob Ruddick--and I had the utmost respect for your husband's/father's ultimate professionalism. Jim was a great man, respected and liked by everyone who he 'touched,' and we can only imagine the void his passing must steal from your life. He will be missed by everyone who knew him, if that is any consulation to you, but I know you will miss him the most. We'll all join him some day, and we all hope it will be a great SAM reunion 'in the sky.'

Yvonne, we were sadded to learn of your loss. Jim will always be in our hearts and remembered fondly.

Dear Lisa,

Randall and I just got the word. My heart overflows with sorrow for you and I wish I were there just to hug you. I wish I could be there in person, but know we carry your sorrow in our hearts and will see you very soon.

Yvonne and Family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of sadness. I hope you find comfort in knowing that Colonel Buzz will rest in eternal peace. May God bless you as you carry on.

Among those who have been so privileged to serve, a few special people stand out who truly knew the meaning of service before self. They are the most respected of all. Buzz was truly respected and loved. What great accomplishments! Our prayers are with you, Yvonne, and the family.

Dear Mrs. Buzzelli, Lisa and Jennifer,



I offer you my deepest sympathy at the loss of such a wonderful man. However, I know that I was blessed to know him at all. You were so kind to be a support for my family when we lost my father; please know that I am here to support yours.



Your friend,



Matthew Renken

Yvonne, Lisa, Jennifer:

Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Our shock of Jim's passing is only surpassed by our joy of having known him. For me, this goes back to our meeting at navigator school in 1962. From day one, his friendly smile, dynmic personality, and geat sense of humor, all contributed to making Buzz one of the guys we valued as a friend.



We arrived in Charleston in the summer of 1963, proudly wearing our silver wings. One of our first challenges was finding an alternative to the base dorms that lacked air conditioning. Because apartment complexes were almost non-existent, the next choice was to find a house to rent. Buzz, John Nettleton, Steve Bening, and I, moved into a new North Charleston house with a pond in the back yard. It was during these early days that I claim to have introduced Buzz to Yvonne, and during the next year, proudly served as a member of their wedding party.



His desire to excel, great people skills, attention to detail, and an overwhelming work ethic helped Buzz move at a rapid pace in the 3rd Squadron, as he impressed "The Kingfish" and upgraded to Instructor and Flight Examiner status, as well as a Navigator Flight Scheduler.



While we were on different career paths in the late 1970's, we did maintain contact and both of our families were in base housing at Andrews AFB. I was in the Procurement Career field at Systems Command and Buzz a Navigator on Air Force One with the 89th in what I feel was the greatest flying assignment that a navigator could ever strive for.



From 1979 to 1983, I was in charge of the AFROTC program at Memphis State. I would proudly use Buzz as an example in describing how his skills, values, personality, and work ethic allowed him to excel. These qualities prove to be more valuable for "success" in comparison to being a top academic performer.



For the past 25 years the Squadron Reunions have been very important. It has always been a pleasure getting updates from the Buzzelli family. I look back with very fond memories of this truly great family.

Yvonne and family, Our deepest sympathy in this difficult time. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Buzz will be sorely missed by all of us who had the pleasure of knowing and serving with him.

Yvonne,

It has been a long time since seeing you and Jim but we remember our years with you at Andrews like it was yesterday. Jim took me under his wing when I got there, trained me, looked after me in many ways, and was a special friend. He made everyone he met feel good about themselves. In short, he made a positive difference to many, many people. Ours thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time. God bless.

Yvonne and girls,

Some of the very best years in our family's life were those spent with the three of you and Jim.

Still have fond memories of those all night discussions over a bottle of 'Drambuie'.

Farewell, good friend. We'll all be together someday.

A wonderful friend and a flight crew member. He will be missed. God Bless.

Lisa, Oh how I know how sad you all are at this time. Elise told me of your father's untimely death. Daddy's are special to girls and I know yours was no different. My love and prayers, Kathy McGee

Yvonne and Family

We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Colonel Buzzelli was a friend, and I enjoyed the years we worked together. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Edna and Joe Chappell

Yvonne and Family,

I was my great priviledge and pleasure to have known Col. Buzz and I consider it an honor to call him my friend.

Edie and I extend I deepest sympathy to you and your family,



God Be with You and Col. Buzz.

Yvonne and Family,

It was such a great privilege to have known and worked with Colonel Buzz. He has touched so many lives.

Colleen and I send our regards and wish the best for you.

Yvonne,

Our hearts and prayers go out to you and the girls as we remember Jim with fondest memories. We had great times together while in the 89th and I was looking forward to seeing him at the reunion in October. May our Lord give you comfort and peace in this time of loss.

Buzzelli family,



The staff at Roper Hospital 4 West Heart & Vascular tower would like to express our deepest condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. May your memories always bring you comfort of the time you have shared with one another. Although we only knew Mr. Buzzelli for such a short period of time, he truly touched our lives with his kind spirit.

Lisa: All of us at Rivers Enterprises were so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Dear Mrs. Buzzelli, Lisa, and Jennifer,

I am so saddened by your loss. You are a great family and I have so many fun memories of the "old days" at Kiawah. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dear Yvonne and girls - We are so saddened to hear about Jim. We always remember Jim, you and the girls as a fun-loving and caring family. We were privileged to have you as our neighbor on Ashwood Circle. Jim was such an inspiration to all who worked with him. He was such an exempliary of the good life. We pray for our Heavenly Father to comfort you in this loss. Many blessings to you and the girls.



Roy and Dodie Thompson

Yvonne,

I can't tell you how sorry we are to hear of Jim's passing. I'll always remember him for his love of the AF, his great sense of humor, and most importantly, his love of and for his family.

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

I'm proud to have known Jim and spent many wonderful times telling lies and war stories. I will miss your smile.

Yvonne & Family,

I was deeply saddened to hear of Buzzy's death. He was like a second father to me during my time at Kiawah. He was truely one of a kind and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

A great friend....he will be missed.

My prayers to his family .

Yvonne, Lisa, and Jennifer our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. My friend, "The Nav", has departed for a wonderful place. There, he will be a star, as he was on earth.

Lisa, we were deeply saddened to hear about your terrible loss. Our hearts go out to you and your family. Your father's spirit will live on in those who loved him, and in the little things that bring him to mind every day.

Jim was one of the bright lights in my life.

While some memories of 1963/64 dim as they fade further into the past, those of Charleston AFB SC will not, mainly because of the connection I made with you and Yvonne as we started our USAF careers together. You were a good friend whose bright personality and exceptional personal warmth made my time at CAFB unforgettable. Thanks for helping a small town boy from the West acclimate to the South and to the Air Force.

John G. Nettleton, Colonel, USAF(Ret)

Dear Lisa,



My deepest sympathies at your father's sudden death. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

As ever,

Linda Renken

My friend, "The Nav', has left us for a wonderful place, but will never be forgotten.There he will be a star as he was on earth. Yvonne and girls, our prays are with you during this difficult time.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I was looking forward to seeing Buzz at the reunion.

Lt. Col R.J. Smith (ret)

May you find strength and comfort during this time of sadness. Our thoughts are with you. We'll miss Jimmy's great smile and laughter but know he'll be looking over all of us.



The Family of Tony Biasella

My prayers are with the entire Buzzelli family

Dear Lisa: I was so sorry to hear of your father's sudden death. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Please take care and God bless you.



Frannie

Connally Nav--We will miss Jim (Class 63-15)and honor him plus the others Connally Navs who have made their "Last Flight" at the Connally Nav Gathering 29-30 September 2006. Thanks for your support and God Bless! We wish the best to the Buzzelli Family.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Jean and I extend our love to each of you in the loss of a dear father and husband. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived. We will see you on Thursday.

Our heartfelt sympathies are with you, Yvonne, Lisa and Jennifer. We thought the world of Buzz and will miss him. May your memories and faith give you strength during this time of loss and sorrow.

You will not be forgotten...thanks for all the memories...Vaya Con Dios my friend...Ed & Mary Cotter