Eugene "Skip" Cyril Pucci

Eugene Cyril Pucci "Skip" passed away on the morning of April 18th in Sandpoint, Idaho. Skip was born September 21, 1942 to Geino and Evelyn Pucci. He had five siblings, Jeannie, Jim, John, Jannine and Janice.

Being a precocious little boy, Skip and his beloved dog, Tippy, made their rounds throughout the neighborhood. He especially loved swimming at The City Beach, fishing in Lake Pend O'reille or building forts with his buddies and siblings. Skip played hard but he worked even harder. In the summer he gardened for the neighbors, sold his butchered rabbits and chickens and rode his bike about town collecting glass bottles and aluminum cans for a few cents. During the winter months he babysat and shoveled walkways.

One day while he and his dog were pedaling along, he discovered the high school football team. This is when he met Jerry Kramer, Leonard Plaster and Cotton Barlow (who would later become his coach. ) Over the next several years he became the water and ball boy, the caregiver of the team mascot, a bulldog named Butch, and traveled with the team. Throughout his life he spoke fondly of the team, especially Cotton Barlow. Barlow even invited him onto the field to practice with the team.

In junior high and high school, Skip played football, ran hurdles, ran the 880 and 1200 in track and boxed in his "off season" he continued to fish, swim and drag race with his buddies. He loved his teachers and was voted "Best personality" his Sr. year.

Skip and Nancy met in the hallways of the old S.H.S. They quickly became inseparable and had many adventures together. He taught her how to fish, handle a rifle, hunt, and scuba dive. There were many times he would hitchhike the 12 miles to her house in Sagle to help her father on the farm.

Skip and Nancy wed at the age of 19 and promptly had their first child, Gina. Jacki and David soon followed.

Skip joined the Carpenter's Union and was an apprentice for five years. He worked on several college campuses building dorms, administration buildings and fraternities. He worked in Spokane, WA. For over 20 years and often joked about the groove his truck tires made in the road which safely took him back and forth from work each day. Skip worked for Vern Johnson, Hazen and Clark, Shea, Panco, Lydig, and Hagadon Construction. He supervised The Coeur d' Alene Resort both under time and under budget with no major injuries. which was one of his proudest accomplishments. He often spoke about how important his weekly safety meetings were and how these meetings prevented such injuries. In 1994, Skip began his own company, Pucci Construction, bringing his most loyal workers with him, Dale, Gordon, Vance and Spud. Throughout his career, he built or supervised over 300 million worth of projects.

In 1981 Skip and Nancy decided to go into the wine business. Being an Italian and growing up on "Dego Red" he felt it was time. Afterall, his buddies enjoyed his dandelion wine and as he grew older he thought a good zinfandel was in order. Both Skip and Nancy worked hard in the winery for 12 years. Skip finally relented and said it was too much work, running the winery and the construction company.

Skip gave back to the community his entire adult life. He was a boy scout leader for seven years, helped run the SARS racing program, he and Nancy coached their daughter's softball team, and was on the board of The Festival at Sandpoint for many years. He was one of a few that were instrumental in keeping The Festival in Sandpoint along with the inceptual integrity of multiple musical genres as the line up. Skip was always helping those less fortunate. It was common for him to pick up a hitchhiker, bring him home, give him a hot meal, shower and a warm bed. Then drive him back to the place he found him. That was the kind of man he was.

Skip and Nancy loved riding horses. Together they cleared many trails on Gold Mountain. He lived his entire life in north Idaho, woke up every morning to the Cabinet Mountains and loved a beautiful moon lit sky. His favorite place, however, was the Selkirk Mountain range, where he took his family backpacking every summer and fall.

Skip instilled in his children and grandchildren a work hard, play hard life ethic and a love for our big backyard which have all been fortunate to enjoy. We will miss his beautiful smile, rambunctious personality and his love for life. Words cannot express the kind of father, grandfather, husband and friend he was.

Skip is preceded in death by his father, mother, and his beloved little sister, Janice.

He is survived by his loyal and loving wife Nancy, daughter Gina Deprez and husband Mike. Grandchildren Michael Bandy (Kimber and two children.) Nicholas Bandy ( Susie) and Cece Deprez. Daughter Jacki Dorris and husband Ken. Grandchildren E.G. Lunceford, Jacob Lunceford ( Matti), Jessica Dorris and Ryan Dorris. Son David Pucci and wife Kristin. Granddaughter Dianne (Trevor) and 3 grandchildren.

May he soar with the Osprey

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 21, 2025 at 2:00PM at the Heartwood Center in Sandpoint.