Longtime Town-Crier employee and noted South Florida musician Jason Budjinski died Tuesday, June 16 after a long health battle. He was 38 years old.
Jason fought the rare liver disease primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and later Crohn’s disease for the better part of two decades, eventually succumbing to them after fighting in true warrior style.
Born in West Palm Beach, on Oct. 8, 1976, Jason grew up in the western communities, moving with his family to The Acreage in 1979. He often spoke of his early years as a pioneer in what was then a sparsely populated hinterland. The family moved to Wellington in 1986.
After attending several local elementary schools and Wellington Landings Middle School, Jason was a graduate of the first class of the Palm Beach County School of the Arts, forerunner to what is now the Dreyfoos School of the Arts. He received his bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida Atlantic University.
“Jason was a soft-spoken, modest guy, who never talked about himself, but I want people to know how talented he really was,” said his mother, Maureen.
That talent first took the form of being a skateboarding enthusiast, and later emerged in his writing and musical abilities.
His passion for writing led to a newspaper and magazine career. He was a longtime employee of the Town-Crier newspaper, first as a reporter, and then as an editor.
“Jason first arrived at the Town-Crier in 2001, not long after he graduated from FAU,” Publisher Barry Manning recalled. “He quickly proved himself to be an amazing writer. While government writing might not have been his passion, he excelled at it, providing readers with a unique insight into the inner-workings of The Acreage and Royal Palm Beach.”
In the mid-2000s, Jason left the Town-Crier for the Broward/Palm Beach New Times, working his way up to music editor there. He returned to the Town-Crier in 2007 in an editorial position and continued as a key leader at the newspaper until his illness forced him to cut back his hours.
“As late as last fall, Jason was still doing some work for the newspaper and spoke of a time in the future when he hoped to return full time,” Executive Editor Joshua Manning said. “He will be deeply missed by everyone here, as well as all the people he worked with in the western communities.”
His time with the Town-Crier included editing work for Wellington The Magazine and Okeechobee The Magazine.
While many in the western communities knew him from his work with the newspaper, Jason was also a talented musician, performing under the name of his alter-ego, Billy Boloby, in various bands. He developed quite a following throughout the South Florida music scene and beyond.
“He was an incredible, loyal and loving son, brother and friend to many,” Maureen said. “He will forever be remembered for his creative talents as a musician and writer, and for his courage and strength as he fought his illnesses for years without a complaint and later with acceptance. He was a true warrior.”
In 1999, Budjinski was diagnosed with PSC, an autoimmune disease that affects the liver. He also suffered from Crohn’s disease, as well as complications from both diseases. Jason was placed on the liver transplant list in April 2012, but numerous complications prevented a transplant from moving forward.
Nevertheless, Jason was an outspoken advocate for organ donation, writing frequently on the topic.
“Jason was on the transplant list, but because of the complications, he was taken off,” Maureen said. “However, even though organ donation was not able to save his life, Jason knew how many people can be saved if more people become donors.”
Jason leaves behind his heartbroken and loving parents, Gary and Maureen Budjinski of Palm Beach County, and his brother Matthew Budjinski of Brooklyn, N.Y., along with many aunts, uncles and cousins.
“He also leaves behind many loyal friends who have been with him for many years,” Maureen added. “And he loved them all dearly.”
A celebration of Jason’s life will held Saturday, June 27 at 2 p.m. in the Center Court of the original Wellington Mall, located at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington.
“Jason did not like funerals. It was just not his persona. He didn’t even like the word ‘memorial.’ He preferred the idea of a celebration of life, and that is what we are planning,” Maureen said.
In lieu of flowers, the Budjinski family requests donations in Jason’s name to PSC Partners Seeking a Cure. Donations can be sent via mail to 5237 S. Kenton Way, Englewood, CO 80111 or made online at http://bit.ly/1SUA0S7. Visit www.pscpartners.org to learn more.
So sad. So, so young with so much to give.
Condolences to family and friends.