Raymond Richard "Dr. Bugs" Buganski, MD

Dr. Raymond Richard Buganski, a beloved pediatrician, husband, serviceman, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2022, in his home on Goddard Road. During his brief illness, Ray was tenderly cared for and constantly surrounded by family and friends. He joins his loving parents and daughters Beth, Ann Bishop, and Sister Pamela Marie eternally in Heaven. Ray was the only child born to John and Lauretta Buganski on April 22, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from St. Casimir’s School, Cathedral Latin High School, John Carroll University, and St. Louis University School of Medicine. In 1955, Ray married the love of his life Ruth Elizabeth Holmes and together they created a family that included 12 children. They recently celebrated 67 years of marital bliss. All who visited the Buganski home of 56 years on Goddard Road were welcomed and encouraged to experience the joy and laughter that filled the house. Many people have been a witness to their love, patience, and faith in action. Doc and Ruthie, parishioners of St. Pius X for over 50 years, displayed devotion to the Catholic church beginning many of their mornings either at church together or sitting side by side watching mass virtually. Ray’s medical career initially brought him to Toledo Mercy Hospital for a three-year residency; however, he was called to duty in the Naval Reserve as a Physician in Norfolk, Virginia. After his service, Ray completed his last year of residency at Detroit Children’s Hospital. During this time, Ray met Dr. John Tansey and in 1962 joined his Toledo Pediatric practice. This grew in time to be remembered as Drs. Tansey, Buganski, Roberts and Torsekar. Ray had a gift for calming worried parents and healing sick children. Dr. “Bugs” dazzled his patients with his Looney Tunes and Mickey Mouse clinical jackets along with his often requested “light trick”. He had many famous lines to the children he cared for such as “Will You Marry Me?” and “I have a son/daughter just your age." During his medical career, Ray supported charitable organizations such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Before retiring in 1996, “Dr. Bugs” had served in leadership roles including Chief of the Medical Staff at Mercy Hospital (1975-1977) and Chairman of Pediatrics, Toledo Hospital (1980-1987). Ray’s love for his patients was only outmatched by his love for his family. He took pride in the sacrifices made so that each of his children received a strong foundation with 12 years of Catholic education. Over the course of his lifetime, Ray’s devotion to family was deeply instilled into his children and his children’s children all of whom hold much love, gratitude, honor, and respect for him. Outside of his profession, Ray was a man of many talents. He played the accordion and was the leader of the “Raymond Richards Polka Band” in the Cleveland area in his high school and college years. He entertained family and friends on keyboards both at his home and at Sunset Village. Ray took time to share his love of music with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Kids could often be found next to him on the piano bench learning a new song or singing along to an old one. Ray was also an avid fisherman. He spent much of his retirement at Hamilton Lake in Indiana where he and Ruth joined St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Waterloo and met many new wonderful friends. The cottage became a special place for the Buganski family and holds countless memories beyond Ray's wildest dreams. Grandpa Ray's fishing pole was magical when grandchildren were present as he often secretly hooked a fish and made an excuse for them to hold his pole and reel it in. Doc Bugs was also an outstanding bowler. He averaged over 200 for many years dating back to the 1970’s. He rolled one 800 series and four 300 games, including a memorable one on the night before Thanksgiving in 2016 at the age of 84. His personality was always on display in his bowling leagues. His sense of humor, generosity, competitiveness, and overall warm nature made him popular with fellow bowlers and the staff at local bowling centers. Raymond is survived by his loving wife Ruth, children Cynthia Parke, Mark (Gloria), Lynn (Stephen) Roberts, Joseph (Stephanie), Laura (Sean) O’Toole, Joan (Stephen) Sadowski, Robert (Anne), David (Melissa), Michael, and Grandchildren Alicia (Parke) & Matthew Shull, Ellen (Parke) & Matthew Christ, Nathan & Shannon Parke, Tracy (Buganski) & Craig Costello, Ryan Buganski, Coeli (Roberts)& Austin Martin, Claire Roberts, Cady (Roberts) & Ryan Grable, Jillian (Buganski) & Cory Brunton, Nicholas Buganski, Meredith Buganski; Andrew, Brett, Kevin, Brian and Lauren Bishop; Owen, Connor, Erin & Kelsey O’Toole; Emma, Libby, Cooper & Molly Sadowski; Jacob, Tyler, Lucas & Abigail Buganski; Brooks, Beckett & Amelia Buganski; Dylan, Camden & Anabella Buganski and Great Grandchildren Adelaide & Oliver Christ, Aubrey & Olivia Costello, Sylvia & Jack Shull. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughters Sr. Pamela Marie SND, Ann (John) Bishop, infant daughter Beth, son-in-law Lee Parke, and Grandson Lee J Parke, along with numerous aunts and uncles from the Cleveland area who were influential in his upbringing. Family and Friends may visit Wednesday, August 3, 2022, from 3 - 7 p.m. at Ansberg West Funeral Home, 3000 W. Sylvania Ave. Meet us Thursday, August 4, 2022, for a 10 a.m. funeral mass at St. Pius X, 3011 Carskaddon Ave. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 5725 Hill Ave. Additionally, the family invites all for a celebration of Ray’s life at a luncheon at The Pinnacle, 1772 Indianwood Circle. The family wishes to express gratitude to Ashanti Hospice for the care and compassion provided. In the spirit of Ray’s lifetime support of Catholic organizations and his passion for education, contributions in the memory of Dr. Raymond Richard Buganski may be directed to St Pius X Parish, Notre Dame Academy, St. Francis DeSales High School or Mom’s house.

Raymond Richard "Dr. Bugs" Buganski, MD

April 22, 1932 - July 31, 2022