James "Jim" Eugene Buck, Jr. passed away at home on April 22, 2025.

Jim was born on July 15, 1952 to James Eugene Buck and Ruth Larsen Buck. He graduated from Ossining High School with honors and was a member of Brown University’s Class of 1973. Jim was an actuarial executive with Prudential and ISO. He served as President of the New York Actuarial Society in the 1990s.

Jim was a gifted mathematician who could solve complex equations in his head and often did so as a matter of course, without realizing the wonder it inspired in those around him. He was a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and happily completed the full docket of actuarial exams in 3½ years (much less than the typical 5-7). He maintained his passion for actuarial science after retirement, completing independent studies in the field.

Growing up in the New York area and Europe made Jim a global citizen. His formative years in Switzerland helped him learn French and German. He later acquired Italian and Japanese. Jim was a polymath who nurtured a lifelong intellectual curiosity for history, culture, psychology, philosophy, and religion. 

Jim was a talented home chef, particularly of French cuisine, and instilled a sophisticated palate in his children with exceptional renditions of Duck à L'orange, Tarte Normande, and Crème Brûlée. He advocated equally for New York bagels and Chicago deep dish pizza. Every Christmas, Jim gifted his famous homemade chocolate truffles to family and friends. 

Jim was a repeat attendee of the Chicago Blues Festival, loved golfing, and was a devoted fan of the NY Mets, Jets, Knicks, and Rangers. He had a sharp, sarcastic wit and his affinity for bargain-hunting foiled retailers’ bottom-lines. His inner child cherished The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Dr. Seuss, and Looney Tunes, and he passed those interests to the younger people in his life.

He is survived by his long-time companion Debbie Higgins, brother Harold (Jill), brother Ken, daughter Julia (BJ) of Seattle, son Michael (Betsy) of Los Angeles, daughter Meredith (Mubarak) of New York, beloved granddaughter Ella, nieces Liz and Kaitlin, and nephew Cody. He is preceded in death by his parents James and Ruth, and Craig Greenawalt, his best friend of over forty years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Parks Conservation Association.