Gary Martin Budjinski

Gary Martin Budjinski 1948-2026, 78 of Lake Worth, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on May 16, 2026. Gary was born on May 14, 1948 to Rita McKeon and Martin Budjinski at Sturdy Hospital in Attleboro, Massachusetts. He met the love of his life, Maureen Stearns, in 1967 and they married two years later in 1969.

After moving to South Florida, what Gary and Maureen dubbed “vacation paradise” in 1973, Gary started a used car business called Family Auto Brokers — a fitting name considering his commitment and love for his family. In October, 1976 they had their first son, Jason, and moved to Royal Palm Beach where their second son Matthew was born in 1980. To Gary, this move out west to what was once the countryside, was the perfect place to raise a family. From teaching his kids biking and baseball, to building skateboard ramps, and firing guns into aerosol paint cans, Gary was always there to make sure he gave his sons a better life than he knew growing up.

After leaving the car business in the early 2000’s he began working for the South Florida Water Management District where he had exclusive access to the most beautiful parts of the Everglades. In 1999 his son Jason was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and after a long battle, passed away in 2015. As a tribute, he officially retired on Jason’s birthday of that year and he and his wife moved to Okeechobee, FL.

Bass fishing through the morning fog on the lake was one of Gary’s greatest joys. He would always snap photos of alligators, herons, ospreys, and the occasional bass that he’d catch and share them with his friends and family. While his passions were cars, fishing, and shooting at the range, his greatest love was having breakfast on the beach with loved ones. He called this paradise.

Happily married Gary and Maureen were constantly together until her untimely passing in 2023. He soon began a new passion of cooking and gardening with son Matthew and new best friend Jane.

Gary will be remembered for being his own man, for loving unconditionally yet selectively, and for aways being present for his wife and sons. He is survived by his son Matthew Budjinski, brother Walter Budjinski, and sister Gayle Rioux. Details of a celebration of life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the PSC Partners at: https://pscpartners.org/donate/ and make sure you are an organ donor.