Dr. Leslie Budinger

September 8, 1954 ~ July 19, 2023

Leslie D. Budinger, OD, 68, of Cape May, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at his home on July 19, 2023 after fighting a seven year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Les was born in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania on September 8, 1954. As a boy he loved all that the outdoors of Pennsylvania had to offer and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He graduated from Jersey Shore High School in 1972 where he was on the wrestling and football teams. Les had aspirations of becoming an eye doctor from a young age. He attended Lycoming College, where he met his wife Karen, and earned his Bachelors of Science degree in 1976. Les put himself through school pounding spikes on the railroad as a trackman for the Consolidated Rail Corporation. He and Karen married in 1978. He graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1980 and shortly thereafter, he and Karen started their family.

Les was a devoted family man. He opened his first office attached to his home in Lionville, PA. He 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, NJ where he and Karen eventually retired. Les loved nothing more than to gather family and friends in his home and cook delicious feasts for them. When his sons started their families, he welcomed his new daughters-in-law with open arms. He was overjoyed when his grandchildren were born, and spent as much time as possible with them.

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. Les was known for treating his patients like family, taking his time to get to know each of them and going 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 is predeceased by his father, Garth A. Budinger. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 45 years, Karen W. Budinger, his four sons who were his pride and joy, Matthew W. Budinger and wife Meghan Crosby Budinger, Daniel G. Budinger and wife Julie (Riccardo) Budinger, Christopher J. Budinger and wife Jenna Miller Budinger, and Ryan L. Budinger, his mother, Meredith (Langham) Budinger, his brothers, Alan E. Budinger and Garth E. Budinger, his sister Barbara (Budinger) Yost, and his beloved grandchildren, Riley M. Budinger, Brody J. Budinger, Georgia C. Budinger, Gavin J. Budinger, and Michaela A. Budinger, and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held:

Sunday, August 27, 2023

1pm-4pm

Kennett Square Country Club

101 E. Locust Lane

Kennett Square, PA 19348

Internment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Les's tribute fund at the ALS Foundation: http://secure.alsphiladelphia.org/goto/drlesbudinger or the Team Gleason Foundation https://teamgleason.org

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