Walter "Bucky" Bruckshaw

Walter “Bucky” Bruckshaw, 76, of South Kingstown passed away on Monday, March 14, 2022. He was born in Providence, RI to the late Walter and Inez (O’Rourke) Bruckshaw and preceded in death by his sister, Donna Bruckshaw Schilling, of Jamestown, RI. Bucky is survived by several cousins and many dear friends. Bucky served proudly and with dignity on the Providence Police force for 27 years, following in his dad’s footsteps. He was appointed in February 1968 after his training at the 33rd Providence Police Academy and earned a promotion to the Detective Division where he served until another promotion to Sergeant on June 3, 1979. During his tenure with the Providence Police Department, Bucky received numerous letters of commendation and recognition for his excellence in police work, but he never sought out adulation or accepted praise easily, believing he was merely “doing his job”. One of his proudest accomplishments was graduating from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. During his time on the force, Bucky also served in the RI National Guard from 1965 to 1972. He was an avid sports fan, and among his favorite teams were the Red Sox, the Patriots, and the Celtics and most of all, his beloved Boston Bruins. His lifetime passion “for the ice” was evident from his playing as a youth to his dedication playing with fellow mature skaters on the “Rhode Island Relics” team, as well as “Old Timers Leagues” in Smithfield and Warwick. Their joy was playing regularly, year-round, and participating in hockey tournaments around the country. Of all his passions and interests, none can compare with his love of the sea. He adored spending time on his sport fishing boat, taking friends, young and old, out into Narragansett Bay or on the Atlantic Ocean for a day of fishing, then cleaning the catch of the day for all to take home. Because of his broad smile, his keen sense of humor and his willingness to help anyone who needed assistance, Bucky made friends wherever he went; everyone was given a nickname by him, and he would frequently end their conversations with “Be good!”. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. A funeral mass will take place Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 10AM at St. Raymond Church, 1240 North Main Street, Providence, Rhode Island. Burial will immediately follow at New Fernwood Cemetery, 3120 Kingstown Road, Kingston, RI. There will be no wake. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bucky’s name (Walter Bruckshaw) to Roger Williams Park Zoo, Attn: Development, 1000 Elmwood Avenue. Providence, RI 02907.