PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Francis N. “Bud” Book passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on January 8, 2018, at his home with his caring daughter by his side.

He was born on May 25, 1921, in Canaan, N.Y., to William and Mary (Callahan) Book. Francis attended St. Joseph’s High School, but left school to start work at General Electric. He took a leave of absence to join the United States Navy during World War II, where he served honorably for four years in the Pacific.  

On September 20, 1942, Bud married Antoinette “Toni” Ross. They celebrated 72 happy years together. After serving in the Navy, Bud returned to work at General Electric, where he worked his way up to Unit Manager in the Transformer Division, retiring at age 60.  He was an excellent handyman, who could fix just about anything and will be remembered with his many pieces of handcrafted furniture. Bud also built houses for friends and relatives and did home renovations many times over. He was the go-to guy for electrical and plumbing questions.  

He attended Mt. Carmel and St. Charles churches. He was a member of the Father Cantino Post and secretary/treasurer for the Foreman’s Club. He loved having visits with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom called him Nunu.    

Francis is survived by his children, William Book of Las Vegas, Nev., and Beverly Mahoney of South Burlington, Vt.; grandchildren Amanda (Don Dobson) Book of San Jose, Calif., Carrie Eggleston of Lancaster, Ohio, Heather (Dr. Michael) Morton of Golden, Colo., Dr. Kevin (Meaghan) Mahoney of Seekonk, Mass., and Sean (Nicole) Mahoney of Chatham, N.J.; and great-grandchildren, Ross and Lane Eggleston, Emily, Ian, Teaghan and Sydney Morton, Riley, Caelen and Declan Mahoney, Callahan, Lochlan, Keane, Mannix, and Shamus Mahoney.  

Francis was preceded in death by his loving wife, Antoinette; his parents; his brother, William; and his sisters, Rita, Barbara, Patricia and Muriel; and his daughter-in-law, Ellie.

The family would like to thank his caregivers, Joe and Priscilla, and HospiceCare in the Berkshires for their kindness, devoted care and attention given to Francis over the past two years.

Funeral notice: Services will take place Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. from the Flynn & Dagnoli-Bencivenga Funeral Home, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, 414 North St., Pittsfield, Mass., with the Rev. Geoffrey J. Deeker C.S.S. officiating. Burial will follow in the Family Plot at St. Joseph's Cemetery. 

Friends and family may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, January 15, 2018, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Leatherstocking Honor Flight, P.O. Box 621, Cobleskill, NY 12043 or to HospiceCare in the Berkshires, 877 South Street Suite 1W, Pittsfield, MA 01201.