Bruce Peter Tillapaugh

Bruce P. Tillapaugh, age 71, of Perry, NY passed away unexpectedly Sunday October 16, 2022 at his home.

He was born in Cobleskill, New York on June 12, 1951 a son to the late Irving M. and Marjorie A. (Stinover) Tillapaugh.

Bruce grew up in the Cobleskill area, and graduated from Cobleskill Central High School, he received his associates degree from SUNY Cobleskill, his bachelor’s Degree from Georgia University and master’s degree from Cornell University.

He worked on the family farm in Carlisle prior to his employment with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Herkimer County later working with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Wyoming and Erie Counties where he was a crop specialist. He retired in 2009. He worked summers for the NYS DEC working on eradicating the hog weed crop in New York State.

Bruce was a former member of the Brick Presbyterian Church in Perry where he was on the session Board and Deacons Board. He worked on the Wyoming County Election Board, a member of SCOPE (Shooters Committee on Political Education) where he held the secretary position for the Wyoming County SCOPE, and was a former assistant Scoutmaster and then Scout Master of Perry Troup #45. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, gardening and traveling a couple times cross country.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years Donna M. (Slusarczyk) whom he married on October 16, 1982, a daughter: Kelley of McKinleyville, CA., Jason of Perry, brothers: David, Carl and Susan, Stuart and Mary all of Carlisle, NY, brothers-in-law: Paul Slusarczyk of Ovid, James and Roxanne Slusarczyk of Bergen, along with many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Along with his parents he is preceded in death by a sister-in-law: Dodsley Slusarczyk who passed away in 2020.

Family and friends may call from 3-6pm on Tuesday Oct. 25th at the Eaton-Watson Funeral Home LLC. 98 N. Main St. in Perry where services will follow at 6pm. Additional visitation and services will be held on Wednesday October 26th at the Mereness-Putnam Funeral 171 Elm St. in Cobleskill.

Bruce will be laid to rest in the Carlisle Rural Cemetery in Carlisle, NY.