Richard 'Dick' Bugni

WOODRUFF, Wis. — Richard “Dick” Bugni, 78, of Mercer, passed away Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, surrounded by his loving family. He fittingly passed on the autumnal equinox, which marks the first day of fall, his favorite season.

He was born Aug. 26, 1935, in Ironwood, Mich., to Tony and Rose (Gatto) Bugni of Montreal, and enjoyed growing up with his seven older brothers and sisters. He graduated from Hurley High School and acquired a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Superior State University.

He married Judith Gregg, of Superior, on Sept. 7, 1957, at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior; they recently celebrated 56 wonderful years together. They raised four boys and a girl, who will forever treasure the love, support and care they provided.

Dick taught biology and history at Tripoli and Crandon while coaching many of the athletic teams in the early 1960s, before becoming a guidance counselor at Antigo High School. He retired in 1990 and built his retirement home in Mercer, taking great pleasure in running his logging business and spending time with his many friends and family members.

Dick was an avid outdoorsman and especially enjoyed logging, fishing and hunting with his buddies and family members. He will be remembered for being a kind and gentle man who gave the greatest hugs and had a wonderful smile. He was also a big fan of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Wisconsin Badgers and Detroit Tigers.

He is survived by his wife, Judy, of Mercer; his sons, Doug (Renae), Hudson, Mike, De Pere, Jeff, Posen, Mich., and Tom (Susan Coleman and her children Olivia and Lauren), Stevens Point; his daughter, Lori (Greg) Greene, Oshkosh; grandchildren, Dominic, Mitchell, Marcus and Rachel; and his sisters, Rosemary and Gloria.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Ronald, Lawrence, Florian and Anthony; and his sister, Margaret.

The family would like to thank the many wonderful people who provided care during Dick’s courageous, eight-year battle with cancer, including his devoted wife Judy, Dr. Longo and Dr. Kahl of University of Wisconsin Hospitals in Madison, Dr. Gabert and Dr. Weiss at the Marshfield Clinic, and the remarkable ICU staff at Howard Young Hospital. A special thanks to the staff at the Seasons of Life Hospice center, who do the work of angels.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Sept. 26, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer, where Dick was a member.

Mass will follow the visitation and lunch will be served at the Cranberry Inn (2 miles north of Mercer on U.S. 51) immediately following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Dick’s name to Seasons of Life, Ministry Home Care Inc., P.O. Box 770, Woodruff WI 54568, and/or Saxon Harbor Boating Club, 15966 N. Hwy. 122, Saxon WI 54559.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood, where condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.