Longtime Alaska resident Mr. Harry John Buccilli, 71, passed away, Wednesday, July 31, 2013, at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease). 

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, at Anchorage Funeral Home, 1800 Dare Ave., in Anchorage. The family invites friends to visit and share memories during the visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rick Burchell will officiate. Military honors will be performed by the Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson Honor Guard. A celebration of Harry’s life will immediately follow the services.

Harry was born Feb. 19, 1942, to Ernie and Estelle Bottke in Highland Park, Mich. He graduated high school in 1960 at Dexter High School. Harry entered into the U.S. Marine Corps and served four years before joining the U.S. Army on March 22, 1965, working in the Criminal Investigation Department until he was honorably discharged. He became the first full-time chief of police in Homer, Mich., before moving back to Alaska in 1969. He had a degree in police administration from the University of Alaska and had worked with the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. He lived in Anchorage, where he was the owner of Driver’s Education School Inc. and Hightech Fingerprinting for more than 35 years. He also had lived in Eagle River and most recently moved back to Homer. Harry enjoyed going to the movies, fishing, hunting and never missing an episode of Bill O’Reilly on Fox News.

“Captain Harry was a great father, husband and friend who will be deeply missed by everyone he knew. He was the most honest, generous, and kind person. No one will ever be able to tell a story quite like him. The ocean will soon be home to another lost fisherman,” wrote his family.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents and several aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife, Sonia Buccilli of Homer; daughters, Elizabeth (Buccilli) Richardson of Comfort, Texas, Tandra Zitkus of Littleton, Colo., and Terika Kons of Redondo Beach, Calif.; three grandchildren, Ryan Richardson, Joey and Jordan Zitkus; granddaughter, Skyleigh Richardson; four great-grandchildren, Layton, Liam, Kaidyn and Landon Richardson; two brothers, Curtis and Ernie Bottke both of Sebewaing, Mich.; and close friend Mr. B.

Arrangements were cared for by the Anchorage Funeral Home & Crematory. Please visit Harry’s obituary and online guestbook at www.AlaskanFuneral.com.