Obituary of Kenneth R. Buggs Jr.

Kenneth R. Buggs Jr., passed to the next part of his journey from here on earth after a brief battle with lung cancer and heart disease, with his family by his side. He was born April 14, 1947 to his late parents, Kenneth Sr. and Madeline (Mickey) Buggs. He graduated from Cortland High School in 1965. He joined the United States Army in 1966, and spent 4 years serving the US Army Security Agency, initially at Camp Drake in Tokyo, Japan and then to Davis Station in Saigon, Vietnam to work under the direction of the Department of Defense. He then married Antoinette (Toni) Miletta in 1967, who joined him in Japan for the beginning of their marriage. They then returned to the States for the remainder of his tour with U.S. Army Intelligence in Fort Meade, MD working at the National Security Agency. Upon discharge from the Army in 1970, he joined the City of Cortland Police Department. While in his early years as a Police Officer, he was awarded the WTVH5 Gold Badge Award for saving the life of a Cortland County Deputy Sheriff who had been shot in the line of duty. During his 11 years as a detective, he was awarded the Cortland County Lawman of the Year in 1986 for his role in solving the infamous Halloween shooting and attempted murder. He concluded his career in police work as a sergeant detective who was assigned to the the first Cortland County Drug Task Force working along side members of the Cortland County Sheriffs Department and the NY State Police. The greatest acknowledgment for his work as a law enforcement officer, was a proclamation during a session of the United States Congress recognizing him for his outstanding dedication to law enforcement. Upon his retirement from the City of Cortland Police Department in 1990, he went to work for 22 years as a Superintendent/greens keeper at a local golf course, as golf was his greatest passion. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing,both in Skaneateles Lake as well as the Gulf of Mexico, and snowmobiling before he went south for the winters. When he finally fully retired, he and Toni split their time between Cortland and Port Charlotte, FL. Ken was a life member of the Cortland Elks Lodge #748, the American Legion Post #110, Disabled American Veteran's Cortland Chapter and the Moose Lodge of Port Charlotte, FL.

Ken is survived by his wife, Toni of 52 years; his two daughters, Amy (Ryan Riese) of Cortland and Jennifer of Syracuse, NY (formerly of Cortland), whom he is very proud of both of their lives and accomplishments. Also, survived by his two brothers, Thomas (Kate) Buggs of San Louis Obispo, CA (their children - Tim, Melanie and Colleen); and Ronald (Cheryl) Buggs of New Smyrna Beach, FL (their sons, Kevin and Eric); and his brother in law, Joseph F. Miletta of DelRay Beach, FL; his aunts, Martha (Bill) Vandenburg and Natalie (Bob) Nelson, as well as many respectable cousins and great nieces & nephews.

Calling Hours will be held on Wednesday September 18, 2019 at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home, Inc. from 2 to 5pm. A Memorial Service will take place at the funeral home starting at 5pm.

Contributions can be made to: Cortland Memorial Foundation, 134 Homer Ave, Cortland,NY; City of Cortland Junior Police Academy, C/O Cortland Police Dept., 25 Court St., Cortland, NY, or a local veterans organization of your choice.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.wright-beard.com