“One day you were here, the next you were gone,” wrote the family of David ‘Bud’ Spiak in a tribute.

Born on Aug. 23, 1985, he died on Saturday, April 2, 2022, his daughter’s eighth birthday. He was 36.

“While it’s so hard to think about Bud leaving us too soon, we are remembering a lifetime of memories we can celebrate,” his family wrote. “Bud enjoyed life to its fullest, he worked hard and played harder!

“From an early age, Bud’s love for construction equipment began. He often went to work with Dave (his dad) to sit on his lap and run his crane. This love for all things construction led to his job as a crane operator, a job Bud loved. He worked as a crane operator for BW Steel in Waterford, and was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local #158. 

“He and Dave spent hours talking about who was lifting the highest load, or how much ‘stick of boom’ they had on their cranes today. Bud was known as one of the best crane operators around.

“Bud had an endless passion for fast cars, especially mustangs, and thrill rides! Always living on the edge, searching for the fastest and highest roller coasters, the wildest rapids, the highest mountain trails and cliffs to climb and skydiving!

“His sister Stephanie recalls an 18th birthday gift he gave her was jumping out of a perfectly good airplane! She was terrified, and Bud offered to jump first so he could meet her on the ground.

“Cooper and Addison so enjoyed their Uncle Bud; Cooper said his fondest memory was ‘Uncle Bud getting him to go on an upside-down roller coaster for the first time’ and Addison adding ‘going on the giant swing high in the air’ was her favorite ride with him.

“It is said that ‘behind every great daughter is a truly amazing dad’: Bud’s greatest blessing by far is his beautiful daughter, Brooke. He was so proud of her. She was the love of his life. Brooke and he shared the same passion for thrill. She was his partner in rock-wall climbing, roller-coaster riding, and hiking. Bud’s fondness for thrills and adventure will live on in her.

“Sarah, his wife, says he was the kindest, most thoughtful guy and would drop everything and go out of his way to help anyone, at any time and any place and for anything.

“‘Bud could always make you laugh,’ said all of his friends. He had an endless supply of jokes, was the life of every party, and could rock a Budweiser cowboy hat, a princess crown, giant funny sunglasses, and some of the silliest Halloween costumes ever. And his sister Cristen says, ‘Puka beads for life Bud.’

“Being Bud’s mom is the best gift I’ve ever been given. We have a new angel to watch over us. It will be hard to forget someone who gave us so much to remember.”

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David “Bud” Spiak is survived by his wife, Sarah Spiak; by his daughter, Brooke Spiak; by his parents, Dave and Sue Spiak; by his sisters, Cristen Lare and her husband, Josh, and Stephanie Meikle and her husband, Jordan, and his niece, Addison, and nephew, Cooper; and by his dear friend Beth Gorke.

“Please join us on Saturday, April 9,” his family wrote, “as we share memories and celebrate Bud at the Guilderland Fire Department, 2303 Western Avenue in Guilderland from 1 till 5 p.m.”

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.