Alfred Buz Ilch

Alfred Pearce ‘Buz’ Ilch, 78, beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday March 9, surrounded by family.  Born in 1945 to Alfred and Caroline Ilch, he grew up in the environs of Red Bank and Rumson NJ.  After graduating from Washington and Jefferson College in 1967, he married his college sweetheart, Bernadette (Lombardo) Ilch, whom he remained married to for 54 years.  

In his early career, he worked as a copy editor for American Management Association in New York City.  His family settled in Ridgefield in the mid-70’s, where in 1983 he and his wife decided to take over the operation of Saint James’ Nursery School located within the church next door to their home.  Alfred (better known as Mr. Buz) would serve as the school’s director, and his wife (Miss Bonnie) as the head teacher.  Under their leadership, the school quickly became a fixture of the community, offering child daycare and kindergarten education, with graduates remembering their time at the school fondly even many years later.  The school would be their passion for nearly 30 years, until they retired in 2012.

More than anything, Alfred will be remembered for his kindness, his dedication to his family, and his unique brand of humor.  He was a lifelong baseball fan, rooting for the Dodgers when they were based in Brooklyn and continuing to do so even after they moved to Los Angeles.  He loved classic cinema, especially film noir and monster movies, and had a passion for classic rock music listening to bands like Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones for his whole life.  

He is survived by his wife Bonnie, his sister Carol, his children Melissa, Chris, and Zack, and his grandchildren Catherine and Sam.  Friends and family can come pay their respects at Blackley Funeral Home in Ridgefield on Wednesday, March 13 from 4-7 PM.  In lieu of flowers, his family asks that friends and loved ones make a charitable donation to a cause he would have appreciated.

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