David Bugai

TRAVERSE CITY — David Alvin Bugai, 63, of Elmwood Township, passed away Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at his home, with his loving family surrounding him.David was born Monday, Nov. 22, 1948, to the late Stephen and Ethel (Barger) Bugai, in Traverse City. He was a 1966 graduate of Traverse City St. Francis High School. On Dec. 30, 1967, he married the love of his life, Linda Janette Wilson, and they have been blessed with 44 years together.A life member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish, David also was a member of the Elmwood Fire Dept.; served as a 4-H leader for 17 years in Leelanau County; and was a union representative, first at the Traverse City Iron Works and then for AFSCME Local 1079. David retired after 23 years as a maintenance technician for Traverse City Area Public Schools, but prior to his career there, he worked on the family farms, which he thoroughly enjoyed.David's love for the out-of-doors could be witnessed by his enthusiasm for hunting, fishing, camping and trapping. For 20 years, he and his family enjoyed spending time at their lakefront cabin on the Big Manistique Lake in the U.P. David's true passion was time spent with his family, which included attending his grandchildren's many events.During his time spent at Munson Medical Center for treatment, David became known to everyone as the M&M man. David's love of life and his desire to help others will live on through his organ donation to the Harvard Brain Tissue Research Center.Linda, Dave's loving wife, survives him; as do his children, Tony (Julie) Bugai, of Kalkaska, Mickie (Hal) Miller, Mindy (Nate) Kujawski and Yuray "Judy" (Doriel) Arauz, all of Traverse City; his grandchildren, Adam Bugai (Laura), Keith Bugai (Cassie), Andrew and Michael Smith, Luke Miller (Kayla), Molly Miller, Jill and Cati Kujawski; and his great-granddaughter, Lilly Smith. Dave is also survived by his nephew, Steph Bugai, of Beaver Island; the extended Bugai and Wilson families; and many close friends.Dave was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Doug.Visitation for Dave will take place Thursday, Jan. 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., with a scripture service at 7 p.m., at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Fr. Anthony Citro presiding.Dave's family has asked that he be remembered through memorial contributions to the Leelanau County 4-H Program, The Alzherimers Association or the Parkinson's Foundation.You are invited to share your memories of Dave with his family by way of his online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com."I lived, I loved, I laughed and now I rest."The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

David Bugai

January 20, 2012