Dr. Irwin Budnick of Boca Raton, Florida, formerly of Margate, has passed away. Dr. Budnick practiced pediatrics in the Margate and Atlantic City area for many years. He was Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics of Atlantic City Medical Center, as well as, Chairman of the March of Dimes campaign to eliminate polio and immunize all the local children. He was also involved in the beginning trials of the German measles vaccine and appeared on television in that capacity. In recognition of his contributions to the pediatric care of the children of southern New Jersey, the Atlantic City Medical Center recently named a pediatric treatment room in his honor.

Dr. Budnick always regarded his patients as extended family and shared with them their accomplishments as well as their sorrow. He rarely met a person he didn't like. When a health problem in 1987 forced him to retire, he moved to Boca Raton where he again developed many lasting friendships.

He is a graduate of Pleasantville High School where he was the class valedictorian, editor of the school newspaper and manager of the baseball team. He graduated from both Georgetown University and Georgetown University School of Medicine and received his MD degree at the age of 23. He served with the US Army, First Armored Division, from 1951 to 1953 and was based in Wurzberg, Germany.

He is survived by his loving wife Sara; his children, Dr. Glenn Budnick and his wife Lynn of Margate, and Mrs. Janet Budnick Bloom and her husband, Dr. Steven Bloom of Andover, MA; his grandchildren, Rachel and Vitaly Zakuta of Newton, MA, Joshua and Manique Bloom of Brighton, MA, Benjamin Bloom of Andover, MA and Matthew Budnick of Margate and Adam Thomas of New York City and his great granddaughter, Alexandra Zakuta of Newton, MA who shares his birthday. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A graveside memorial service was conducted by Rabbi Krauss on Sunday, Aug. 10 at Rodef Shalom Cemetery in the Beth El section. A memorial celebration of his life will be held in the fall in Boca Raton, Florida. Donations in his name may be sent to the Atlantic City Medical Center Department of Pediatrics or the Ruth Newman Shapiro Cancer and Heart Fund, 7223 Ventnor Ave., Ventnor, NJ 08406.