Guido Matthew Bugni
Heaven gained a great one when Guido Matthew Bugni, Jr., a faithful, devoted, honest, solid, quiet and humble rock of a man passed away early morning on Dec 22, 2023.
In 1935, Guido was the eldest of three boys born to Guido Louis and Virginia Carpino Bugni in the Italian neighborhood of Meaderville in Butte, MT. He often, some might say constantly, reminisced of his Butte boyhood, playing in the Columbia Gardens near the family home, hunting and fishing with his family and friends, and his strict education by the Irish Catholic brothers and sisters. He left Butte to attend Carroll College where he studied chemistry and played football. He was given All-American honors and was later inducted into the Carroll football hall of fame. After graduating from Carroll in 1958 he taught chemistry at Billings Central high school, then a year later returned to Carroll as a Professor of Chemistry where he stayed until his retirement in 2000. In 1967, Guido met fellow Carroll faculty Martha Ellen (Marcie) Fairhurst of Paducah, KY who came to Carroll for a “short” tenure. That plan quickly changed: Guido and Marcie (you couldn’t say one without the other) were married in 1968, raised their four sons in Helena, and cherished their friendships in the Helena community, the Church, Carroll College, and beyond.
Guido was incredibly devoted to his wife, his family, his profession, his friends and his Catholic faith. He was committed to being a helper of others, a role that he continued well into his 80s. This commitment was both in the short-term, such as helping his sons pack up and move around the country, as well as the long-term as a caregiver for Marcie in her illness and for his mother who lived independently to the age of 103. Just recently, he described his new role as “chief cook and bottle washer” for his family in the home. Guido loved his ten grandsons more than anything; everybody he interacted with heard an earful about them and their incredible minds, hearts, and talents.
Guido brought his role as a helper to his teaching philosophy. Guido adamantly opposed “grading on the curve” when that method came into fashion. He said his goal was to help every student master the subject and that he would love it if every student got an A. In Carroll College lore, he once went to a student’s dorm room to wake him up and get him to class as the student was in the process of oversleeping a final. In a recent interview, when asked what he was most proud of from his time at Carroll, he replied the students and their successes. He was always happy to see them and hear about their lives decades later.
Guido will be remembered for a lot of things: as a power bait fisherman and frequent fixture on the causeway or below the York bridge; as a state-champion handball player and an avid sports fan, of the New York Yankees, Notre Dame football, and anything his sons and grandsons were into; as a morning-shift keno player at Last Chance Casino; as a meticulous lawn keeper (the original google map street view of the family home fittingly pictured Guido mowing the lawn). He will be remembered for his good humor, intellect, integrity, and wit, but he will mostly be remembered as old-reliable for his simple and unwavering love.
Guido was preceded in death by his parents Guido and Virginia Bugni, his wife Marcie Bugni, his brother Gerald (Jerry) Bugni, his father- and mother-in-law Richard (Dick) and Rose Fairhurst, his sister-in-law Janet Fairhurst, and nephew Keith Fairhurst. Guido is survived by his brother William (Bill) Bugni and his wife Janie, his brother and sister-in-law Richard and Janice Fairhurst, his four sons and their wives: Joseph (Joe) Bugni, James (Jamie) Bugni and Miriam Nuno, Michael (Mike) and Ann Bugni, and Matthew (Matt) and Katy Bugni; his grandsons, Daniel Bugni, Andrew Bugni, Nicolas (Nico) Bugni, Owen Bugni, Matteo Bugni, Guido Bugni, Oliver Bugni, Enzo Bugni, Franco Bugni, and Antonio (Tony) Bugni; and his nieces and nephew Lisa Bugni, Kelly and Kevin Brown, and Brian, Craig, Dara, and Lyann Fairhurst.
We will miss Guido dearly. We also can imagine the reunion celebration in heaven right now as Guido rejoins his bride and long list of friends and family and the dog Heinze.
The family will begin receiving friends at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue with a Vigil service scheduled for 6:00 pm at the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be held at Noon on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 from the Cathedral of St. Helena. Burial and Rite of Committal will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. A Reception following the burial in the Social Center of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Guido’s passion, education, through a donation to an existing endowment for scholarships in his name at Carroll College. This can be made at the following link, through the “scholarships” tab, selecting “memorial donation”, and adding a note that it is in Guido’s memory (https://give.carroll.edu/pages/carroll-college-annual-giving#open_giving_form=true). Alternatively, donations may be sent to Matt and Katy Bugni at 511 Sussex Court, Helena, MT 59601.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 pm to 6:00 PM
Tuesday January 2, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
6:00 pm
Tuesday January 2, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Avenue
Helena, MT 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 pm
Wednesday January 3, 2024
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N Ewing St.
Helena, MT 59601
Burial
Following the Funeral Mass
Wednesday January 3, 2024
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, MT
Reception
Following the burial
Wednesday January 3, 2024
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 pm to 6:00 PM
Tuesday January 2, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
6:00 pm
Tuesday January 2, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Avenue
Helena, MT 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 pm
Wednesday January 3, 2024
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N Ewing St.
Helena, MT 59601
Burial
Following the Funeral Mass
Wednesday January 3, 2024
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, MT
Reception
Following the burial
Wednesday January 3, 2024
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Dan McGowan says
Joe and Bugni families – sorry to hear the sad news. Your dad was a good friend and mentor. The Carroll family lost a true patriarch. Prayers for all of you.
Casey Clinch says
My family was so lucky to have Guido help us as we grew up after our dad, Tom, passed. He was my godfather and a real role model. I hope the entire Bugni family knows how much we love him and will miss him.
Jack Haffey says
Susan and I are saddened to learn the news that Guido had passed away.
While I did not have a class from Guido my wife Susan did and said he was the very best – he always helped students understand. Guido and Marcie were two absolute favorites of my Mother Clara, the bookstore manager. Everybody who knew him loved him – and loved Marcie too.
Clara’s entire family loved the Bugnis and we send our thoughts, condolences and prayers to all the Bugni family.
Gabe Fusco says
I met Guido in 1961 when we were graduate students in the chemistry department at U. of Colorado and we became great friends. I was married and had a daughter that Guido babysat on several occasions. He would tell me how lucky I was to have a child (I ultimately had 3 children) and he wished he’d have as many as he could get. Guido tried to teach me how to play handball underneath the large auditorium of the chem. building. A fellow graduate student cut my hair for a year then my wife cut it once & Guido saw my crewcut and asked if my wife cut it. I denied it and he told me he knew how to cut hair & began cutting it. On the day we packed his belongings for his trip home to Montana, he confessed he had never cut hair before, but he knew he could cut it better than my wife. I will never forget Guido. He truly was a wonderful man and a great friend. God bless his soul & give him everlasting peace.
Margi Clinch says
I was so saddened last Friday morning when my sister Angie shared with the news of Guido’s death ! Guido was not only my Dad Tom’s best friend he was a fixture in the childhoods of me and my siblings, and then a fixture on an ongoing basis basis after Dad’s death. He was a wonderful man; they broke the cookie cutter on him; he was one-of-a-kind. Surely, he has been received in heaven by his love, Marcie, other family, and my Dad.
Bob Silberling says
The Bugni family have been in my life since I was four years old. They were truly kind and generous. Guido and his brother Jerry always let me ride the Roller Coaster during the summers. The Bugni’s were my neighbors at the Columbia Gardens. It was the Bugni’s dad who kept the warming stations fire going in the winter while we waited for the bus. Then years later when I went to Carroll Guido was my chemistry professor. He was a truly good man. Both he and Marcie were my favorite customers when they would come to my families Ice Cream Parlor. I will always treasure those visits. My last visit with Guido was while we were waiting for our orders at Brooklyn Bridge. As always he was the best.
Angie (Clinch) Johnson says
I echo thoughts from my siblings here, Margi and Casey. Our childhoods were blessed with Guido’s presence. The love and time he gave us was priceless. After our dad died (as suddenly as Guido did), he and Marcie were a comfort, guide, and more family to all of us. Even when I studied at Carroll, Guido was there, with a wink and a hug.in the Science building. At graduation he found me to show me he wore my dad’s robe. He helped keep my dad’s memory alive. We will never forget him, and we will keep his memory alive now. Deep sympathy to his children and grandchildren. You are in my prayers, and I’m eternally thankful for you sharing your parents with us.
Maura Gruber says
Joe & Family,
Sending my love and condolences. So many childhood memories include Grandpa telling stories of Guido from their time at Carroll. May memories bring you peace at this difficult time.
john doubek says
Guido was clearly both a gentleman and a scholar. I enjoyed my visits with him while I attended and taught at Carroll. He had a dry wit and loved his teaching days at the College. I am sorry for the family as he was a great person to lose.
Jack Redman says
I first met Guido at Boys’ Central High School, got to know him better when we were students at Carroll College and even better as teachers at Carroll. We have remained close friends for 75 years. When you visited Guido and Macie
they would make you feel you were a very special friend because, I believe, they were such very special people themselves. One long time Carroll staff member told me “Some students tell me they admire their teachers,
Guido’s sstudents tell me they love him.” We all do Guido!
Bill Hasquet says
I want to extend my deepest sympathies to all of Guido’s family. He will always hold a special place in my memories of Carroll College. I always admired his calm and confident demeanor and his sincere commitment to enhance the learning experience of the students he encountered. I’ve always believed you can gauge a Man by the way he treats the women in his life, and his love, respect & commitment to Marcie and his mother were at the highest level.
RIP my friend!!!
Mary Ann Frazer says
The first time I met Guido was the summer of his engagement to my best friend, Marcie. I planned to surprise her by flying out to Helena from South Bend. However, when I arrived Guido told me that Marcie had just gone back home to Paducah to plan their wedding. Guido, however, was more than delighted to show me videos he had taken of my friend. Marcie skiing, Marcie singing, Marcie laughing! It was obvious that he was head over heels in love with her as she was with him. That love only grew stronger and deeper over the next almost six decades.
Guido was a kind, loving man and I have so many memories of his interactions with my children when they were little. When my Matthew was 5 or 6, Guido took all the boys fishing and my son caught a good sized fish, but not the edible kind. My son was concerned about the fish, but the next morning at breakfast, Guido came in the door with a few dollars and a fist full of change and gave it to Matthew. “I sold your fish at the market, ” he said, “you got a good price for it.”
When the Bugni boys were between 9 and 14, I came to visit with my almost 3 year old daughter, Sarah. Guido’s 4 sons were each the apple of his eye, but he was absolutely enchanted by this tiny little girl. One morning when we heard too much silence, Guido went down to the basement where he kept a bucket of his fishing worms. A few minutes later, he came upstairs shaking his head and laughing. “Your daughter is feeding nail filings to my worms, she says they look hungry.”
I never in all the times we were together, ever heard Guido swear, not even common inoffensive swear words, but one day when I was having a hard time, Marcie and he came to the airport to see me off and Guido whispered something in Italian in my ear. I told him I didn’t know what that meant and he said, “Don’t let the bastards ever get you down!” I don’t think he ever let the bad times defeat him, not even the loss of his beloved Marcie and shortly after that of his Mom. Give Marcie a hug from me. Enjoy your well deserved happy hereafter. With love and gratitude, Mary Ann, Matt and Sarah..
Sheri Erhardt says
Guido and Marcie filled their home with so much love it was tangible. I remember as a teen simply stepping into their home and you could feel the love shared inside. You were always greeted with a smile and a hug. That love shines through in their children. The Bugni family is one of Helena’s treasures. My gratitude goes out to Guido and Marcie and to their family for being pillars of kindness and love to so many.
Mark Reynolds says
Mr Bugni was absolutely my favorite teacher at Carrol College.I have fond memories of class and handball.A most decent human being.My sincere condolences.
KIELY A. PARKER says
Carroll College and Mr. Bugni influenced so many lives in different but equally important ways. The motto of Carroll College is, ” not for school, but for life.” Students of his and friends everywhere will easily recognize that his life in the classroom was not about how much he knew but how much he cared.
James (Jim) J. O’Connell says
I offer my deepest sympathies to the Bugni family on the loss of their trully remarkable and beloved brother, father and grandfather. I was just informed tonight of his passing.
I first met Guido Bugni as a student at Carroll College in 1963 and was awed and a little afraid of this tough looking Italian fellow from Butte. But I was from Chicago and I was Irish so he would kid me about being an Irishman from there who had a Tommy gun in a violin case. And his Buddy on the faculty, Dr. Tom Clinch would occasionally bring that up to me as well. He was a great teacher to me and took some pity since I had previously not had chemistry. Then I went into his Organic chemistry class and I can still have dreams of him directing me through some of those labs! He was so devoted to his teaching and had such a kind and wise way. I just loved the way he worked with those of us in pre-Med.
Years after I wrote him at Christmas time to let him know I had become a physician and he wrote back acknowledging me.
I am so grateful for having known Dr. Guido Bugni and I love the obituary picture. How could Marci not have fallen in love with that look.
Theresa Racicot says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of your family as you say goodbye to such a wonderful man. He was an excellent teacher, father, husband, grandfather and friend, so caring to all who were blessed to know him. The world has lost a very special man.
Blessings to all of you as you navigate life without him.
Theresa and Marc Racicot
Micahel Daily says
Like many of us, he taught several generations of my family chemistry. He has always been a pillar of the science education at Carroll. He will be sorely missed. People don’t come like him anymore.
Lisa Hixson Clayborn says
Our thoughts are with all of you. The Bugni family has always brought love, grace, and greatness to many of our lives. Sending love to all.
Daniel Zanchi says
Sending my most sincere condolences to the Bugni family. Guido was one of my mom’s best accordion students. He never missed sending her a birthday card. I have wonderful memories spending time with the family, especially those free rides on the roller coaster at The Columbia Gardens. Much love to all,
Dan
Tom and Bonnie Murphy says
We first met the Bugni family in the mid-eighties. I loved to sit with Guido while he did the crossword at the breakfast table, and our conversation always covered the world, my work, his work, his kids, and what is a 7 letter word that means —-He was so easy to love. One day when we were there Guido made breakfast for my husband, Tom. We have since called them Guido’s eggs and have them very often. Tom ate 4 Guido’s eggs that morning, and has never since indulged that way. When Marcie died, it was during covid and I could not visit her. Guido took good care of her I am sure. I never saw a more loving relationship. To the Bugni boys, you will be grieving the loss of this remarkable man. My heart is with you, and Tom’s too. You are as special as he was. God Bless, Bonnie
Mary Ellen Schnur says
Mr. Bugni was born to teach; he was great! In 1967-68, he patiently taught “the nurses”, some of whom had not had high school chemistry. One student was having trouble understanding a concept. She asked a question. He answered. She repeated the question. He answered again, patiently, and with a few more basic details. She immediately repeated the question. He stood looking at the student for long seconds. Then he said, “Now I think I know how Alice felt when she was talking to the White Rabbit.” He had her come for tutoring, and she successfully completed the class.
Dan says
Mr. Bugni was an outstanding professor. His Chemistry class was terrific. I will never forget him bouncing off the classroom walls explaining kinetic energy… Thank you for the decades of service and the lives you touched!
Diane Mihelic Klemann says
Condolences to the Bugni family. We were all so blessed to have Guido in our lives. I had Guido at Carroll for Chemistry. I skipped class to go back to Butte for ST Patrick’s Day in Butte on a Friday. The following Monday morning he walk by my desk and said Diane Mihelic doesn’t sound Irish to me. He knew right where I had gone. We both laughed and I still laugh about it. I did get an A in Chemistry and he made it so fun!!! He was a gem of a guy.
Kiernan Minehan says
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Amen
Mr Bugni always started his inorganic chemistry class with this prayer. I will always remember this. RIP Mr. Bugni.
Mike Jones says
Such a wonderful teacher – intelligent, positive and easy to interpret. I wonder how many, like me, carried his instruction and motivation into lifelong careers in chemistry. I can still see him handing out an organic chem test, saying, “Get your Montana Standard, Butte Daily Post!” I’ll always remember him kindly, with gratitude.
Dan Rambo says
He was Carroll College. Someone so many people looked up to. His competiveness, his casual smarts, his friendship and guidance when we needed it and only the Lord knows how much I needed it. When he spoke I listened. My friend, Kevin, in Billings sent me this link. Thank you. Mr. Bugni will be missed but not forgotten, ever! My best to his children and grandkids. Heaven 1, Earth 0. Ciao Guido
Francis McCormack says
A superlative educator. One of the best I ever encountered. Nobly, humbly, personably and unwaveringly bringing us from ignorance to enlightenment in the field of chemistry no matter the ability or aptitude with which we first entered his classroom.