Jay Bucher, 64, star athlete at EHS, LG Health leader

Jay R. Bucher, 64, a Lancaster General Health executive and community leader, died following a long battle with multiple myeloma cancer at his home surrounded by family March 18, 2015.

A resident of Manheim Township, he was the son of the late Paul C. and Anna Mary Bucher. He was married to Pamela A. (Kraus) Bucher for 42 years.

Jay received his undergraduate degree from Gettysburg College, and his banking degree from Bucknell University School of Banking. He was a 1968 graduate of Ephrata High School.

Well known for his sports career, Jay was an all-state performer in football and basketball at Ephrata High School. He was the leading basketball scorer in Lancaster County in 1968 leading the Ephrata to the County Championship and to the District finals. Jay played on a Division 1 scholarship at Gettysburg College scoring 1,118 points. He played basketball professionally with the Lancaster Red Roses and semi-professionally with the Lancaster Big 5.

He joined the National Central Bank in 1972 (Now Wells Fargo), becoming a senior vice president in 1995. In 1995, he joined Lancaster General Hospital as vice president of development. In 2006, he was promoted to President of Lancaster General Health Foundation.

Over the last two decades, Jay played an integral role in strengthening Lancaster General Health, as well as our community’s overall well-being. Since joining LG Health in 1995, Jay most notably led the $25.2 million capital campaign for the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute, the largest private fundraising effort in our community’s history. He also headed capital campaigns for Women & Babies Hospital and the Lancaster General Hospital Orthopedic Center.

Jay was a trusted advisor to many boards and nonprofit organizations. He currently was serving on the Boards of Directors of United Way of Lancaster County, Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster, and the Lancaster County Career & Technology Foundation. Past Boards included: Junior Achievement of Lancaster County, Manheim Township Foundation, Keystone Arts & Culture Center, Gettysburg College Board of Fellows, Maple Farm Nursing Center, and others.

He received numerous recognition awards over the years including Gettysburg College Young Alumni Achievement award, Lancaster Jaycees Boss of the Year, Junior Achievement National Bronze Leadership Award and Excel Award, United Way Volunteer of the Year Award, Ephrata High School Athletic Hall of Fame and Gettysburg College Hall of Fame, AFP Fundraising Professional of the Year Award in November 2011, and most recently The Distinguished Citizen Award from the PA Dutch Council, Boy Scouts of America. He served in numerous fundraising roles including chair of the Lancaster County United Way Campaign in 1993. Professional organization membership included the Hamilton Club and Bent Creek Country Club.

In addition to his wife, Jay is survived by his daughter: Alison M. Baccio of Lancaster; a son: Joshua J. Bucher, husband of Erin M., of Carlisle; four grandchildren: Isabella and Case Baccio, Zoe Bucher, and Alexia Gonzalez; a sister: Lorraine D. Henly and her spouse, Gary Henly, of Reinholds; and brothers: James D. Bucher and his spouse, Laura Bucher, of Virginia Beach, Va.; and John D. Bucher and his spouse, Sharon, of Harrisonburg, Va.

A celebration of Jay’s life was held March 22 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Lancaster, with Pastors Craig Ross and David Klepper officiating. A private family interment took place in the Hammer Creek Mennonite Cemetery, Lititz.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jay’s memory to the Lancaster General Health Foundation, Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Center, 609 N. Cherry St., Lancaster, PA 17604.

To send the family online condolences, visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, Lititz, handled the arrangements.

Boy Scouts will honor Bucher posthumously

The Pennsylvania Dutch Council of the Boy Scouts of America will award its highest citizen honor, Distinguished Citizen, to the family of Jay R. Bucher on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at the Lancaster Marriott.

Bucher, who passed away on March 18, was the President of the Lancaster General Health Foundation and the chief fundraising officer. Jay spent 19 years raising money for the Lancaster based Health system and helped shape the expanded care that Lancaster General continues to provide our community.

Community involvement was a significant part of Jay’s life serving on many community boards, professional associations, and more. Some of Jay’s involvement included: United Way of Lancaster County, the Lancaster County Career & Technology Foundation, the Boys Club & Girls Club of Lancaster, Junior Achievement of Central Pennsylvania, Manheim Township High School Foundation, and the Boy Scouts of America.

Bucher had been suffering from multiple myeloma cancer for some time when he was chosen as the award recipient. Duane S. Crouse, development director of the Pennsylvania Dutch Council, Boy Scouts of America, confirmed that a private presentation of the award was made to Jay at his home prior to his death. Mr. Bucher recorded some comments at that time via video. The video will be shown on April 29 at the posthumous presentation.

Retired State Senator Michael Brubaker, now the Chief Executive Officer of Blackford Ventures, LLC, will provide the keynote address.

The Boy Scout Council each year presents the Distinguished Citizen Award to an exceptional civic leader whose contributions have advanced the quality of life in the community and who exemplifies the values of the Boy Scout organization.

Members of the community and supporters of Scouting are invited to sponsor or attend the award dinner; a fundraising event for Boy Scout programs in Lancaster and Lebanon counties.

For sponsorship or ticket information, contact Duane Crouse at 553-4207 or duane.crouse@scouting.org or visit padutchbsa.org.