Obituary of Martin Birnie

Name: Martin K. "Bud" Birnie Date of Death: Tuesday, October 09, 2007 Residence: Eagle Bay, NY Age: 88 Obituary:Martin K. (Bud) Birnie, 88, of Naples, Florida and Eagle Bay, New York, formerly of Rome, died on Tuesday, October 9, 2007, in St. Luke's Memorial Hospital, New Hartford. He was born January 19, 1919, in Rome, the son of Claude and Theresa Kenny Birnie. Bud was a graduate of Rome Free Academy and attended the University of Iowa. On August 20, 1940 he married Mary Jo Nunn in St. Peter's Church. Bud was owner and operator of Birnie Bus Service. In 1950, he purchased four bus vehicles from his brother-in-law, Martin J. Nunn. With the help of his family and many loyal employees, the business has become one of the largest bus services in the United States. He was a Veteran of the United States Navy serving during World War II in the Pacific Theatre. Bud was a member of St. William's Church, Naples, St. Anthony's Church, Inlet and while in Rome, St. Paul's Church. Bud loved all sports, especially football. He was the Quarterback on the outstanding 1937 RFA team and was an avid and loyal Notre Dame University football fan. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, an Eagle Scout, and was recognized as Scout of the Year at Camp Kingsley in 1932. Bud was a 3rd generation member of the Rome Elks Lodge and was a member of several professional organizations. Bud with his wife, Mary Jo, was very active socially and was a member of the 10 Club and the B&B Club of Rome. Surviving besides his loving wife of 67 years, Mary Jo; are two sons and daughters-in-law, Douglas (Doug) and Susan Birnie, Annandale, Virginia; Timothy (Tim) and Kim Birnie, Rome; one brother and sister-in-law, Harry and Beverly Birnie, Wilmington, North Carolina; five cherished grandchildren, Shea, Brendon, Kaitlen, Lauren and Brian, two sisters-in-law, Genevieve Nunn Wallis and Betty Nunn Draper, several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces, great-great nephews and a special loyal family friend, Al Moroughan. Bud was predeceased by a sister, Edith Bean. Bud's family wishes to express their gratitude, Dr. Emile Wassel, the CNY Cardiology Group, the staff at St. Luke's Critical Care Unit, Sister Maureen Denn and Vicki Case, Faxton Dialysis staff nurse, for the wonderful care and compassion shown to him during his illness. Funeral services will be held at the Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George Street, Rome, on Saturday at 10:00am and a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Paul's Church at 11:00am. Interment will take place in St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Thursday and Friday. Contributions in Bud's memory may be made to the James E. Nunn Memorial Foundation. Services: Funeral services will be held at the Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George Street, Rome, on Saturday at 10:00am and a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Paul's Church at 11:00am. Interment will take place in St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Thursday and Friday. Contributions in Bud's memory may be made to the James E. Nunn Memorial Foundation.