Martin Joseph Buchta |
| Posted 2008-11-20 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Tuesday, November 18, 2008 Martin Joseph Buchta, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully in Prescott, Ariz., on Nov. 16, 2008, in the year of our Lord. He was 91 years old. Foremost, Martin was the hardworking and loyal husband to Pauline (Perchinsky) Buchta, his loving spouse of 69 years. A devout Catholic, by example he instilled in his 10 children the value of honesty, humility and devotion to God. He was an active member of the SS Cyril & Methodius Slovak Church, reading scripture at Mass, performing acts of charity through the efforts of Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW), and praying diligently as a soldier for Christ in the Nocturnal Adoration Society. Martin's love of country shone not just in his pride to fly Old Glory, but also in his service in the Navy during World War II. As a youngster, he worked as a lifeguard and he later used these skills to help in the rescue of his two eldest sons who had unexpectedly jumped into Ansco Lake. Later he began a career at GAF Corp., which spanned 50 years, beginning as a carpenter and finishing as a methods engineer. An avid golfer, Martin had two holes-in-one on number 7 at his home course of Ely Park. Striking the ball well into his 80s, one of his son's could surely hear his admonishment "drive for show, putt for dough" as he typically was 100 yards shorter than anyone, yet chipped in or made some huge putt to win the hole. He also enjoyed dancing the polka with his sweet Pauline, bowling and cards with his pals, and an occasional adult beverage, especially beer. Martin could have easily had a second career as a weatherman as he could look at clouds, formations and the sky and intuitively predict the comings of both storms and sunshine. This is documented in his many journals written over the years, which also included family trips and numerous golf adventures. Martin is survived by his beloved wife Pauline; six sons, Robert (Tracy), Richard (Diane), David (Donna), James, Martin (Kathy), and Michael (Deborah); and four daughters, Patricia (Roger) Lyon-Surrey, Suzanne (Tim) Bradley, Christin (Alan) Geller and Teresa (Rich Edwards) Buchta; daughter-in-law Glenna Buchta; as well as 30 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by son-in-law Robert Lyon and daughter-in-law Longina Fisch Buchta A Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, at the Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home, corner of Cortez and Carleton, with visitation two hours prior. A Celebration of Martin's Life Mass will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Fleury, Prescott, with final farewell and commendation at Spring Forest Cemetery in Binghamton, N.Y. In lieu of flowers the family request donations earmarked for Meals on Wheels of Western Broome County, 705 W. Main St., Endicott, NY 13760, or Chow at SS Cyril & Methodius Church, 148 Clinton St., Binghamton, NY 13905. You are invited to log onto www.ruffnerwakelin.com to view a tribute to Martin, sign his guestbook and share a memory with the family. Information provided by survivors. |
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