December 7, 2020
by Ryan Johnson
Raymond was born in Worcester, MA on May 5, 1928. He was the son of the late Victor J. and Elsie M. (Kroll) Buda.
After attending school, he began working in a shoe factory at the age of 14. He served in Germany in the Second Armored Division, as a gunner and after enlistment, he worked for the Worcester City Water Department at the Kendall Reservoir in Holden for thirty years. He was a summer resident of Cape Cod from the early 60s and moved there permanently upon his retirement.
On November 12, 1977 he married Patricia Jean (Bleau) Lovell. He raised her daughter, Cathy Ann (Lovell) Johnson as his own. After their daughter married, his job really became serious. He became the proud and much loved father to his son-in-law MSGT Keith Joseph Johnson of the 102 Intelligence Wing, Joint Base Cape Cod. As life passed by, he became known by his favorite title, “Papa.” His dedication to his grandchildren, Amy Marie Johnson of Mashpee, Ryan Philip Johnson of Centerville and Shawn Paul Johnson of Winston Salem, NC, will be a treasured memory.
Papa was an ordinary man who lived an ordinary life. His small family has many extraordinary stories on how he enriched their lives and brought joy to everyone around him. He liked the simple pleasures in life including fishing, gardening, feeding the birds, sitting at the canal, rocking on the porch while listening to his short-wave radio, having a beer, and going to the casino. His nightly past time was watching Wheel of Fortune with his wife and eating a fruity dessert.
Papa was a man of few words and many actions. Even in his old age, he refused to sit back when a household task needed to be done. Whether it was simply holding a flashlight, or retrieving a tool, he had to contribute in some way. In an always busy, sometimes chaotic household, he was the one who knew where everything was. Without him we would never have found the last minute items needed for a project that he always somehow found in his possession. He was an active member and communicant of Our Lady of the Cape in Brewster and Christ the King in Mashpee, Massachusetts.
Ray is survived by his nieces, Dawn Marie (Perry) O'Brien and Tina (Buda) Lavery and their husbands Donnie and Herb; his nephews, David Stanton, Michael Buda, and Philip Belliveau. He is predeceased by a brother, Edward J. Buda; two sisters, Theresa A. Perry and Dorothy A. Stanton whom passed away this year of COVID-19; and a niece, Patty (Buda) Belliveau. He leaves behind many lifelong friends.
Special thanks to all the doctors and nurses around the world working through this horrendous pandemic, especially the compassion given by Brianna and Sue at CCH our family’s angels on earth. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice and wear a mask.
Interment will be private and held at the MA National Cemetery in Bourne. A Celebration of Life and Mass will be planned for friends and family in the future.
After attending school, he began working in a shoe factory at the age of 14. He served in Germany in the Second Armored Division, as a gunner and after enlistment, he worked for the Worcester City Water Department at the Kendall Reservoir in Holden for thirty years. He was a summer resident of Cape Cod from the early 60s and moved there permanently upon his retirement.
On November 12, 1977 he married Patricia Jean (Bleau) Lovell. He raised her daughter, Cathy Ann (Lovell) Johnson as his own. After their daughter married, his job really became serious. He became the proud and much loved father to his son-in-law MSGT Keith Joseph Johnson of the 102 Intelligence Wing, Joint Base Cape Cod. As life passed by, he became known by his favorite title, “Papa.” His dedication to his grandchildren, Amy Marie Johnson of Mashpee, Ryan Philip Johnson of Centerville and Shawn Paul Johnson of Winston Salem, NC, will be a treasured memory.
Papa was an ordinary man who lived an ordinary life. His small family has many extraordinary stories on how he enriched their lives and brought joy to everyone around him. He liked the simple pleasures in life including fishing, gardening, feeding the birds, sitting at the canal, rocking on the porch while listening to his short-wave radio, having a beer, and going to the casino. His nightly past time was watching Wheel of Fortune with his wife and eating a fruity dessert.
Papa was a man of few words and many actions. Even in his old age, he refused to sit back when a household task needed to be done. Whether it was simply holding a flashlight, or retrieving a tool, he had to contribute in some way. In an always busy, sometimes chaotic household, he was the one who knew where everything was. Without him we would never have found the last minute items needed for a project that he always somehow found in his possession. He was an active member and communicant of Our Lady of the Cape in Brewster and Christ the King in Mashpee, Massachusetts.
Ray is survived by his nieces, Dawn Marie (Perry) O'Brien and Tina (Buda) Lavery and their husbands Donnie and Herb; his nephews, David Stanton, Michael Buda, and Philip Belliveau. He is predeceased by a brother, Edward J. Buda; two sisters, Theresa A. Perry and Dorothy A. Stanton whom passed away this year of COVID-19; and a niece, Patty (Buda) Belliveau. He leaves behind many lifelong friends.
Special thanks to all the doctors and nurses around the world working through this horrendous pandemic, especially the compassion given by Brianna and Sue at CCH our family’s angels on earth. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice and wear a mask.
Interment will be private and held at the MA National Cemetery in Bourne. A Celebration of Life and Mass will be planned for friends and family in the future.