Ronald Joseph “Bookie” Buchmeyer
Ronald Joseph “Bookie” Buchmeyer, age 84, of Erie, PA, left this world on February 4, 2024.
He was born at home in Erie, PA on May 4, 1939 to Ronald Russell Buchmeyer and Anita Ida (Temple) Buchmeyer, who have gone on before him.
He was preceded in death by his older brother, Gerald, who lived only 9 days, and several younger brothers who all passed in the first few days of infancy, including twin boys born on Christmas Day.
He was also predeceased by his grandparents, John L. and Ida M. (Russell) Buchmeyer, and Joseph Mathias and Ida Belle (Tinney) Temple, and his stepmother, Rita Buchmeyer.
He leaves his wife of 32 years, Dolores “Dee” (Mrozek) Maddie Buchmeyer.
Surviving are his 2 sons, Ronald John Buchmeyer (Denise), and Steven Michael Buchmeyer (Trena Gail); his daughter, Michelle Buchmeyer, and 2 stepchildren, Edward Maddie (Melissa) and Suzanne Maddie (Chad Goodling).
Also surviving are his first wife, Rose (von Volkenberg) Buchmeyer Hawkins (Tommy), mother of his 2 sons, and his second wife, Doris (Pardee) Buchmeyer Newsome (Walker), mother of Michelle.
Additionally, he is survived by 6 grandchildren, Ronald Jacob Buchmeyer and Tommy Lee Buchmeyer, sons of Ronald John; Tiffany Rouleau (John) and Jessica Chancey (Curtis), daughters of Steven; Alysha Cooper (Jeremy) and Grayson Buchmeyer, children of Michelle; 2 step grandchildren, Allison Maddie and Keegan Maddie, children of Edward Maddie, and numerous great grandchildren.
Mr. Buchmeyer’s first job was as an Erie Times “Newsy” at the age of 10, then he worked as a pinsetter in a bowling alley. Through high school, he worked for his uncle, Wilbur McGee Plasterers, and some of his work can still be seen in UPMC Hamot Hospital today.
He enjoyed hunting, boating and fishing, bowling, and golf. He had a black belt in karate. He always enjoyed selling, and often held 2 or 3 jobs at a time.
He was employed at Hammermill Paper Co., was a Journeyman millwright, sold vacuum cleaners, Fuller brushes, fiberglass awnings, home improvements, and insurance for Travelers and Hartford. He sold trucks at Lake Erie Ford, water systems, and restaurant chemicals. He lumberjacked, managed Neisner Brothers Stores in Florida, which became Ames, Zaire’s, Woolco, and then Walmart. Retiring after 16 years, he was Captain of PA State Police of Crawford & Erie County. He owned and operated Bookie’s Bargains in Westfield and Ripley, NY, Buchmeyer’s Auction Services, and Pulaski Auction & Flea Market in Pulaski, PA. He was a Licensed Auctioneer in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and enjoyed driving for Uber and Lyft after retirement.
His religious affiliations were Presbyterian and Evangelical Christian.
He graduated from PA State University School of Auctioneering, and American College of Auctioneering in Ohio.
He was a member of various organizations, including Past Master of AAONMS Lodge #399 of North East, PA, Zem Zem Shrine Club of Erie, PA, Moose Club, Jaycees in Florida and New York, Siebenbuerger Club, honorary member of Pulaski, PA VFD, past member of the Erie Club and the American Auctioneer Association. He was proud of his 2 Apprentice Auctioneers, Melanie Saraceno Freeman, and Wm. F. Williams, Sr., who both became licensed PA Auctioneers. He was known as Iron Hammer, a Peace Chief in the Lenape American Indian Nation.
There will be no viewing or visitation. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.