Raymond James Buszek

Raymond James Buszek, age 95, of North East, PA, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2025.  He was born on May 3, 1929, in Erie, PA, the son of the late Frank Buszek and Victoria (Nitczynski) Buszek.  He was the youngest son of 16 children.

Ray graduated from Tech Memorial High School and was accepted into the General Electric apprentice program.  He served as a Staff Sargeant in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.  He returned to Erie and General Electric after his military service and enjoyed a long successful career until his retirement in 1998.

Ray’s passion was dancing.  At an early age, along with his brother, Leo, he would perform the Russian Cossack and other dances at eastside clubs.   As a teenager, he met Rita, who shared his love of dancing and became his lifelong dance partner.  During their 69-year marriage, they danced at swing dances, round and square dances, and ballroom dances.

He dedicated his life to providing for his family and working hard at all his endeavors.  Post-retirement, Ray and Rita wintered in Mesa, Arizona.  He took up wood carving and specialized in “old world” Santa Claus and Navajo kachina figurines.   He also hiked the Grand Canyon and of course, continued dancing with Rita. 

During summer and fall, Ray worked in the produce department at Sanders Market.  He enjoyed his customers and was quick with an anecdote or two to get a laugh or a smile.   He would get customers to say, “Who Ray?” only to reply “Yippee!”

 He was a member of St. Gregory Thaumaturgus Church in North East.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rita Marie (Pohl) Buszek; five brothers and six sisters.

Ray is survived by his children, Kimberly Mazza (Rick) of North East, Wendy Kulzer of Hattiesburg, MS, Mary Beth Danowski (Tom) of Harborcreek, Ray Buszek (Kathy) of Lebanon, OH and Melissa Griffin (Allan) of Oklahoma City, OK; 13 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Sr. Mary Josanne, Buffalo, NY.

Family and friends are invited to attend services on March 1, 2025 at St. Gregory Thaumaturgus Church, 48 South Pearl Street, North East, PA.  A visiting hour will begin at 11 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 12 noon.  Private interment will be held at St. Gregory Cemetery. 

The family wishes to thank the staff of Parkside at North East and the LECOM VNA of Erie County Hospice Team for the compassionate care given to Ray.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Judes Place, Memphis, TN 38105
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to William D. Elkin Funeral Home, 65 South Lake Street, North East, PA.  Please send condolences to elkinfh.com.

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