Beloved husband of Susan (nee Anderson) Butka. Loving father of Kristin Butka. Loving brother of William Butka and the late Joan Mackolin. Loving uncle of Lisa (Larry) Waczkowski. A celebration of life will be held on a date and time to be announced. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday November 2, 2024 at Christ The King Church, 30 Lamarck Dr, Amherst, NY 14226, at 9:30am.
Gunnery Sergeant Robert James McDonald passed away suddenly on May 20, 2024 while stationed in 29 Palms, CA. Bobby was born on May 24, 1988 in Amherst, NY. He was a devoted father to Jamison (12 y) and Wesley (5 y).
Beloved by his parents Loring Gingell McDonald and Paul J. McDonald. Cherished by his grandparents, Marjorie T. and the late Dr. Robert L. Gingell, Joan U. and the late James P. McDonald, and his “uncle grandpa”, James C. Gingell. Bobby is also loved by his siblings Robin (Eric) Martin, Daniel, and William, as well as, Kelly McDonald and their sons, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and friends.
He was a 2006 graduate of Amherst Central Schools and a 2010 graduate from SUNY Cobleskill. He was highly active throughout middle school into his adult life in lacrosse and football. Bobby was a coach and was a role model in his community. During several summers, he played the tuba as a member of the Chautauqua Community Band. He also enjoyed fishing and sailing on Chautauqua Lake. Bobby joined the Marine Corps on June 7, 2010 and served his country with honor and dignity until the time of his death.
Services will include a dignified transfer from 29 Palms to Raleigh, NC. A viewing will be held on June 12th from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Johnson Funeral Home in Jacksonville, NC. His funeral service will be on June 14th 10 am at the Coastal Carolina Veterans Cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held in Amherst, NY on a date TBD.
Bobby will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts. Godspeed, my son.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Onslow Youth Lacrosse Association, 120 Cedar Ridge Drive, Maysville, NC 28555
Born to Ethel (Trautman) and John Kaiser on July 24, 1942. Ray leaves behind his loving husband, Bob, faithful cat, Silver Noel and many friends and family. Ray was predeceased by his parents and three brothers. Friends may call Tuesday 4-8 at Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Rd., Grand Island. Share condolences online at Kaiserfuneral.com
Wife of the late Philip Brody; mother of Ann (Jim) Ricketts and Bruce (Pamela) Brody; grandmother of Jessica (Nick), Matthew (Katie), Benjamin (Chelsey), Sarah and Zachary; great grandmother of Kaiden. Judy was a champion of early childhood education, a longtime teacher, and an artist who loved her family and friends. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday 11AM at MESNEKOFF FUNERAL HOME, 8630 Transit Rd., E. Amherst, NY 14051. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Hospice Foundation of WNY. Share condolences and view live stream at mesnekoff.com
The Amherst Central Alumni Foundation, Inc. Grant Committee awarded $23,557 for requests submitted by faculty and staff for the 2023-24 school year. Grants were awarded in all four schools for academics, technology, sports, arts, and special education. Among the grants awarded were: Books for the Amherst Central School District Family Support Center; High School – Italian Exchange Program, Pit Orchestra Stand Lights, Student Council Leadership Conference, Black History Month Activities; Middle School – 8th grade field trips, Adult-Student Mentoring Program, Life Skills Supplies for Developmental Disability Class, Lumber for the Annual Musical, Woodwind Instrument Repairs; Windermere Elementary – Pickleball Equipment, Storyteller Speaker; Smallwood Elementary – Supplies for Kindergarten Integrated Classroom, 2nd Grade Field Trip.
Grants are fully funded by generous alumni donations and other fundraising activities. Grants are awarded for programs that are not funded by the school district budget and are selected based on the most students that will be positively affected.
The Amherst Central Alumni Foundation, Inc. has awarded over $189,000 in grants over the past 20+ years. For more information, please visit our website www.amherstalumni.org.
Tiger Tracks 