Michael C. Bucy

Michael C. Bucy, born December 24, 1952, in Freedom, Indiana, passed away on June 24, 2026 in West Lafayette, Indiana.   He had severe complications during open heart surgery on June 12 in the Indianapolis Heart Center.  He leaves behind a life full of curiosity, kindness & quiet determination.  He was the son of Everett and Mildred (Hardesty) Bucy.

Michael grew up in Spencer, Indiana and graduated from Owen Valley High School in 1971.   In 1972, he joined the United States Army, serving in Alaska until 1975.  He married in Alaska and welcomed a daughter, Alison (Dorian) Bucy, who survives.  

In 1997 he married Linda (Rutherford) Foster, who survives him and shared his humor & his dreams.  He is also survived by his stepdaughter, Amy (Matthew) Coon.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Joe, and his grandson, Tyler.  He is survived by his grandsons, Justis and Gage, his granddaughter, Hailey, and his sister, Shirley (Roger) Pretorious, whose steady love and presence was very precious to him.  He is also survived by other siblings & extended family members.

Michael was never someone who sat still for long.  He earned multiple black belts in the martial art form Ryukyu Kempo.   He taught women’s self-defense at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute, Indiana, empowering women with confidence and safety skills.  He was an active member (& president several times) of the Lafayette Noon Optimist Club and a member of BNI (Business Network International) and a past member of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and Toastmasters – groups that reflected his belief in encouragement, community and personal growth.

Professionally, Michael spent nearly twenty years with IBM, where he became known for his patience, problem-solving, and genuine desire to help.  After moving to West Lafayette, he worked at Computer Answers and eventually became the owner.  He later trained in therapeutic massage, offering comfort and healing to countless individuals.  

His final business venture was to establish his own company, Town & Country Home Inspection, which allowed him to help homebuyers with honesty, thoroughness, and the kind of integrity that defined him.

Retirement finally gave Michael the chance to chase the dream he had carried since he was young--writing a book.  He became a published author with “The Janitor”, a story that reflected his thoughtful nature, his love of storytelling, and his belief that ordinary people often carry extraordinary wisdom.

Michael will be remembered for his gentle spirit, his steady humor, his curiosity about the world, and the way he made people feel seen and supported.  He lived quietly but deeply, and he leaves behind a legacy of kindness, resilience, and the simple belief that you should always try to make life better for the people around you.

A memorial is being planned for late Fall, which was the beginning of Michael’s favorite time of the year, the Holiday Season.  He was very focused at that time helping the Noon Optimist Club with their major fundraiser of selling Christmas Trees in the (original) Frozen Custard parking lot.  This fundraising was dedicated to supporting youth programs in the Lafayette area.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: 

*Lafayette Noon Optimist Club 04310, P.O. Box 3748, West Lafayette, IN 47996

*The Claire E. & Patrick G. Mackey Children’s Cancer Foundation, 5313 Heritage Drive, Lafayette, IN 47905

Or a charity of your choice.