Benjamin "Ben" H. Bakuzonis, Jr.

Benjamin H. Bakuzonis, Jr. 70, passed away peacefully after a short illness on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Albany Medical Center surrounded by his family.

Born on June 27, 1954, in Amsterdam, the son of the late Benjamin Sr. and Geraldine (Fuelner) Bakuzonis. A lifelong resident of the area, Ben grew up in Hagaman and graduated from Wilbur H. Lynch High School, Amsterdam in 1972. 

Ben retired from General Electric in Schenectady after 41 years as a machinist. He was also the former co-owner of Cronies Restaurant in Hagaman. After retirement, Ben took on the most important job of a full-time Grampy. He was an avid hunter & fisherman, he loved NASCAR (Chase Elliot) and was a boxing fan Muhammed Ali. He also enjoyed doing projects around his home. In his spare time, Ben would often go antiquing and add to his many collections. Most importantly, Ben was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to so many, he will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his loving wife, Barbara (Ackerman) Bakuzonis, whom he married on April 15, 1978; sons, Bryan Bakuzonis (Genienne) and TJ Bakuzonis (Karen); grandchildren, Riley, Reid, Cecelia, Leo and Nash; sister, Carol DeJohn; brother-in-law, Kenny Ackerman and sisters-in-law, Michele (Ackerman) Bauer and Maxine (Ackerman) Sylvia. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. 

Calling hours for Ben will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025, from 4pm until 7pm at Betz, Rossi, Bellinger & Stewart Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 11am at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Ben’s name to The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD, 21741 or to the Ronald McDonald House of the Capital Region, 139 S. Lake Avenue, Albany, NY, 12208.