02/23/2026
NEWHOUSE - Joseph G.
December 20, 1955 - February 6, 2026
On February 6, 2026, our dear brother Bud (Joe, Dudley) Newhouse passed away peacefully at Roswell Park Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY. He had just turned 70 in December, and as the oldest of us six siblings, he’s been a force for good in our family from the very beginning. Always our big brother and our greatest protector. Born at the Army hospital in Ft. Monmouth, NJ while our dad was stationed there during the Korean Conflict, Bud came into this world already living boldly — and he never stopped. Above all else, Bud loved his family deeply.
One of the proudest moments of Bud’s life was giving a kidney to our brother Dan. That gift of life gave Dan many years of high quality life, free from the constant burden of dialysis and time to start his own family. Bud gave Dan the greatest joy with the births of Dan's son, Jack and his daughter, Katie. And because Bud was 6'6" and Dan was 5'9", the doctors told us that receiving such a large kidney from Bud was almost like getting two whole kidneys. Bud loved knowing he could give Dan that kind of strength, freedom, and joy. Our brother Bud's heart was as big as he was!
Also, when our dad became very ill, Bud didn’t hesitate to put his life in Clarence on hold and move into Dad’s home in Florida. Because he was strong enough to lift him, Bud made it possible for Dad to stay in his own home and live the best quality of life. Dad passed away at home under hospice care, surrounded by family, because Bud made that happen. This week Bud told us that our dad's hospice nurses gave him the greatest compliment when they told him he did such an amazing job caring for our dad that they felt he "missed his calling".
Nine years ago, Bud found a home on a corner lot in Clarence that he believed would be the perfect place to share with family and friends. He kept our home base in Clarence alive, giving all of us the chance to enjoy our hometown the way we did growing up. If it weren’t for Bud staying in Clarence, we wouldn’t have had the same experiences over the last nine years that we cherished as kids … a place to gather, a comfortable spot for long weekends and vacations, a welcoming home for everyone. Bringing people together was a mission for Bud, and he fulfilled it beautifully.
Bud (Dudley), also helped look after and bring joy to a generation of Clarence kids as he became locally famous as the bartender at "The Grapevine" tavern on Main St. in Clarence. Bud helped turn it from a biker bar into the most fun local tavern where all the young people gathered to make great memories together and socialize.
Because of Bud's presence, hard work, and vision, The Grapevine turned into our local "Cheers" type tavern where "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came!" Bud turned it into a place where life-long friendship we're forged and thousands of unforgettable memories we made!
Bud was also one heck of a first string pitcher for the Grapevine softball team with a wicked back spin that made it very difficult to hit the ball forward. People still talk about it today.
To this day, 50 years later, all we have to say to people we meet in Clarence is that we're "Dudley's" sibling and people instantly get a big smile on their face and proceed to tell us a great story about knowing our brother from The Grapevine. The stories always include how our brother positively effected their lives and what unforgettable times they had together back in "The Grapevine days!"
Bud told us this week that "I just wanted to bring joy to people, I hope I've done that." He felt so blessed to have such wonderful family, friends, and neighbors who rallied around him over the years. He was amazed how God seemed to just place them in his life. He said to us "I'm not sure what I did to deserve such great people in my life. I can't believe how blessed I am."
Bud also faithfully visited our parents’ gravesite in the family plot. He planted flowers, trimmed trees, and made sure the urn was always filled with seasonal blooms. He had a deep love for plants and animals. His yard was full of life, and so was his home.
Over the years, he cared for many dogs and cats, each one loved and spoiled. They brought him joy, and he returned it tenfold.
Those who knew Bud know exactly what we mean when we say he lived boldly. Even in these last months, facing one of the rarest and most aggressive forms of cancer, he kept that same fire. He would tell us, “These doctors want to play it safe. I’m battling an aggressive cancer and I don’t have time to play it safe.” And he meant it. He fought with everything he had, right up to the very end. Friday afternoon, with whatever strength he had left, he made sure to tell everyone he loved them. Just the day before on Thursday, he said, “Please bring me some clothes I’ve gotta get out of here.”
During his time at Roswell, Bud often spoke with the priests and deacons who visited him and gave him communion. He told them that he tried to bring joy to people, and that his happiness in life came from bringing joy to others, especially his nieces and nephew. His biggest worry was having to leave Jack, Katie, and Charlotte. He wanted to be sure they would be okay, and he was concerned about how they would hear the news of his passing. That was Bud.... even in his hardest moments, he was thinking of others first.
We all had the privilege of spending time with him recently and witnessed firsthand his strength, his resilience, his love, and his deep Catholic faith. He told us and the doctors that he was never giving up. He said he would rather die fighting cancer than let cancer win. And that’s exactly what he did. He fought hard, every.... single... day.
We miss him deeply, but we take comfort in knowing his faith carried him home to our Lord in heaven. In that place of peace, he is surely being greeted by our mom, dad, brother Dan and all his dogs and cats with open arms. May he rest in God’s eternal peace, light, and joy.
Our deepest gratitude to those who prayed for and supported Bud and all of his family on his journey. You surely made a difference.
No prior visitation. We will be planning a Celebration of Life Service in the future when it warms up a bit in New York and will post the details as soon as we have them. In the meantime, please share your memories and photos. Arrangements by: ERIE COUNTY CREMATION SERVICE, 873 Abbott Rd., South Buffalo, NY, 824-6435. Please share your condolences at: www.eriecountycremationservice.com
We Love you Bud!!
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