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Leslie D. Budinger, OD, 68, of Cape May, N.J., passed away peacefully on July 19, 2023, after fighting a seven-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Les was born in Jersey Shore, Pa., on Sept. 8, 1954. As a boy he enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, and hunting.
He graduated from Jersey Shore High School in 1972 where he was on the wrestling and football teams. Les attended Lycoming College, where he met his wife, Karen, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1976. Les put himself through school pounding spikes on the railroad as a trackman for the Consolidated Rail Corporation.
Les and Karen married in 1978. He graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1980.
Les was passionate about Optometry and making eye care more accessible. He was honored in 1997 for his years of service providing eye exams and developmental vision assessments for children in the Head Start program. Les opened Colonial Optometric Associates, PC of Downingtown, Pa., in 1996 where he was known for treating his patients like family. He took time to get to know each of them and went above and beyond to ensure everyone was provided with the highest standard of care. He served his patients faithfully for over 30 years and retired in 2017.
Les was a devoted family man and served as a Cub Scout leader and soccer coach for his sons. Each summer he took his boys camping at Black Walnut Bottom and shared his love of the outdoors with them. After moving to Chester County with his family, he enjoyed fishing on Marsh Creek and mountain biking. The family also enjoyed beach days in Cape May, N.J., where he and Karen eventually retired.
Les is predeceased by his father, Garth A. Budinger.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 45 years, Karen (Ward); his four sons who were his pride and joy: Matthew and wife Meghan (Crosby), Daniel and wife Julie (Riccardo), Christopher and wife Jenna (Miller), and Ryan; his mother, Meredith (Langham); his brothers, Alan E. and Garth E.; his sister, Barbara Yost; his beloved grandchildren, Riley, Brody, Georgia, Gavin and Michaela; and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, from 1-4 p.m., at the Kennett Square Country Club, 101 E. Locust Lane, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Foundation at secure.alsphiladelphia.org/goto/drlesbudinger or the Team Gleason Foundation at https://teamgleason.org