Dean Joseph Buczkowski

Dean was born on September 6, 1958, in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Iva Woodworth and Edward Buczkowski. He grew up in Enfield, Connecticut with his brother, James Woodworth, and his sister, Joanne Meyer. He graduated from Enrico Fermi High School, where he excelled academically and played baseball and hockey. He attended Central Connecticut State University. He met the love of his life, Becky, and moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where they married in 1999. He and Becky welcomed their daughter Lauren in 2003 and became a close, happy family. They loved spending time together, traveling, and Dean became the ultimate girl dad.

After moving to Memphis, Dean spent 28 years with International Paper and Global Cellulose Fibers. He was respected and admired at work by his coworkers, and was known as the “work dad.” He was patient while training his new coworkers and always made sure their questions were answered. He retired from International Paper in 2026.

Along with spending time with his family, Dean loved fishing, photography, music, playing cards with his friends, and rooting for his favorite sports teams, the New York Yankees and the Boston Bruins (which he realized was an odd combination). He introduced to Lauren one of his favorite bands, the Eagles, on the way to drop her off at elementary school. He enjoyed many adventurous family vacations such as their drive out west to the Grand Canyon and other national parks, a cruise to Alaska, and a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway. He never missed a dance competition, recital, school program, or event. He cherished every moment of being a dad, and his family will always remember him for that.

Dean is survived by Becky, his loving wife of 27 years, his daughter, Lauren Elizabeth Buczkowski, his sister Joanne Meyer and his brother James Woodworth, and his nieces and nephews. He leaves behind his best friends, John and Trish Totty, Ed and Raven Reid, Kathy Wheeler, his faithful companion Bella and many others who loved him.

If you would like to make a donation in Dean’s memory, please consider donating to St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral or the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center.

Funeral services will occur at 12:30 on Friday, October 9, 2026 at St. Mary's Cathedral Church, 700 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.