This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Walter Thomas Bugeja who was born on February 16, 1954 and passed away on May 26, 2011. We will remember him forever.
Walter Thomas Bugeja, age 57, was a resident of Fort Smith, Arkansas for over 25 years. Prior to that time, he had spent many years living in Pennsylvania, New York, and Florida. Walt, as he was often known by his friends and family, attended college at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. He earned Bachelor degrees in Parks and Recreation. Walter wanted to build parks and Boys and Girls clubs with his knowledge, and was able to before he fell in love with his wife Linda.
On May 22nd, 2011, Walter and Linda celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary. Together, Walt and Linda had Jason, Joshua, and Joseph Nicholas Bugeja. Walt was definitely a "family man" and enjoyed spending time with all of them. With the newest addition of Brooklinn to the family, Walt made a special effort to find something unique that they could share together. The result was "turtle walking," which took place at the park near the Arkansas River. He read daily, watched old movies, fished, and tried to be the best person he could be, helping others wherever possible in an attempt to create a better world. Walt was very religious and attended numerous church services. In particular, he was a regular at Christ the King Church, his home church, and Immaculate Conception.
Walter lived a very full and enriched life, having seen three sons graduate high school, two graduate college, one graduate law school, one get married, one enlist in the military, and one have a child. Walt had various jobs over the course of his life, but enjoyed the ones where he was a part of a team the most. In particular, he loved being a part of the Bugeja Real Estate Team as a Realtor, along with his wife Linda and his son Joshua. He had also worked for the Armored Car and as a substitute teacher, which both made him feel good because he was helping others.
Walter is survived by his parents Joseph and Beatrice Bugeja, his older brother Charles Bugeja, his younger sister Betsy Ponzo, his wife LInda Bugeja, his children Jason Bugeja, Joshua Bugeja, and Joseph Nicholas Bugeja, and his granddaughter Brooklinn Rose Bugeja.
*NOTICE*
Walter wanted to be cremated and, due to a variety of complications, his memorial service will tentatively be held at Christ the King Church on June 22nd, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.
Additionally, Walter passed away without a life insurance policy or any assets. The family is having difficulty raising the funds for his cremation and memorial service. If you would like to show support for the family during this difficult time, you may help in any of the following ways:
1) Make a small donation to Lewis Funeral Home for his account (even after all expenses have been paid here, there are expenses for an urn, the church and priest, flower arrangements, obituary publication, etc.)
2) Send support to the family by way of inexpensive messages regarding how he positively touched your life or a fond memory you have
3) Instead of sending flowers prior to the service to comfort the family, contact one of the immediate family members so that a "pool" of donated flowers can be used to decorate the final service.
4) Keep the family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Thank you.
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you and wish you could see your family. Jason is such a wonderful father and husband and I know you would be so proud. I can see your kind and thoughtful ways in him when he smiles, has a tender word, teaches Hunter the importance of respecting his mother and grandmother. I see you in the little things each day, and I see you in Zoey. She's so beautiful and Brooklyn adores her. We love you and will miss you until we see you again.
Love,
Anji
When Josh and I were going to College for our Undergrad, one Summer we got into a heated argument that involved all three of us (Josh, Nick, and myself). I was standing by the sink in the kitchen and Nick was leaning up against the stove while Josh stood by the door to the back room. The biggest thing I can remember is the rage that filled me when I was shouting towards Josh as we were intertwined in a heated argument. On the verge of throwing fist our dad stumbeled in from the dining room. Amongst the rage and hositility our dad slowly walked into the kitchen. To my suprise all he did was slowlly walk towards me (probably seeing that I was most prone to being physically violent first) and he threw his arms around me. He held me and gently hugged me and as he held me I could hear my voice getting softer and I could feel my thoughts slowing down and when I stopped lunging towards Josh and just stood there he finally looked at me and then proceded to walk towards Josh and do the same thing. He did that to all three of us, holding us until we were calm. I was dumb founded I thought to myself Josh and I are strong College men about to throw fist and this small of stature old man calmly walks in and courageously throws himself onto us. When were were all calm Dad looked at us through the door way back towards the dinning room and said "Its gonna be okay" and walked out. To this day I can't remember for the life of me why the three of us were in such a heated fight that we were almost engaged in physical force, but what I can remeber is the graphic detail of our dad's actions during that time of pain and confusion amongst us. My dad came in and melted the anger out of all of us with the tender touch of love, and the idea that he didn't want to see his son's battle flesh against flesh. That memory serves as a great reminder of why we must not let ourselves get so wrapped in the situation and forget who we are, but also that dispite how grim or unredeemable someone's actions might be, there is always room for love and for the peace and understanding that follows it.
i remember walter as a polite,caring gentleman and i am truly traumatized by his passing.
the only time i ever was upset with him and his brother, charles was when they visited dorothy and myself in canarsie,brooklyn .i think they lived in pittsburgh at the time and stopped by to say hello.
they brought us the finest brownies i had ever tasted. in fact i was so hungry and laughing so much that i soon realized they had laced the dessert with some cannibis(pot). dot and i lectured them concerning their misdeed however in retrospect it was funny. the boys had a great sense of humor and it must have been hysterical to see their aunt & uncle flying high.
rip. walter
you did the best you could with the deck that you were dealt.which is all that can be really expected of us. i respect how strong you really were.
peace & love
uncle andy.
