Meet Your Neighbor
Mark Budaj
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
Once inspired by his grandmother who enjoyed volunteering her time at a nursing home, now Mark Budaj is an inspiration to senior citizens through his work as nutrition coordinator for the local office of Elder Services of the Cape and Islands. More than simply ensuring Nantucket seniors have healthy, affordable meals through the Saltmarsh Senior Center congregate lunches and the delivered Meals on Wheels, Budaj, who loves to put some sparkle into what he does, embellishes elder dining as often as possible with special amenities and encourages the people he meets to live life to the fullest.

Born and raised in Wethersfield, Conn., Budaj went to the University of Vermont where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in zoology. Between his junior and senior years, however, he came to Nantucket to wait tables at The Harbor House and The Mad Hatter, and had the familiar reaction many washashores have experienced.

"I just loved it," he said of the island.

Once Budaj graduated from college he returned to Nantucket. Unable to obtain restaurant work at that time, he began assisting Mary Beth Splaine at South Wharf Gallery, and while working there saw the many gorgeous sailing

vessels that came into port. He learned that The Snow Goose sought crew and was hired as a steward. After being with the boat for a year, when its owners docked in St. Thomas they announced that they were selling the vessel.

Not sure where life's opportunities would take him next, Budaj returned to Nantucket in September 1986. He was able then to work again at The Harbor House and also at the former Obadiah's restaurant, open scallops and pumped gas at Island Spirits on Washington Street while a portion of its Island Motors business remained. Budaj was overseeing banquets for the Harbor House until a serious fire there in 1988 forced the end of that employment.

He kept on at Island Spirits and spent a year at The White Elephant before moving on to The Gordon Folger Hotel as maitre d'. Budaj spent seven seasons at The Folger under Bob and Barbara Bowman, working winters at The Tap Room and as an "elf" at Christmas in the Sweet Inspirations candy shop. In 1996 he left the Gordon Folger to work six years as a Federal Express delivery driver.

"I've been feeding people and making deliveries out here my whole life, in one form or another," laughed Budaj.

In 2004, Budaj became nutrition coordinator for Elder Services, explaining that his previous restaurant experience was a boon because he had already met many of the families he now serves. That population currently includes approximately 20 to 30 elders receiving Meals on Wheels dinners delivered to their homes Monday through Friday. About 4,400 people were served congregate lunch at the Saltmarsh Center in 2007.

"There is a huge need, and to bring somebody food and socialization that are really needed makes a big difference. We want it to be a luncheon, not a lunch program," he said, giving much credit to Nantucket Cottage Hospital for the consistent quality of food the facility's kitchen staff provides in preparing the program meals.

Budaj also moonlights a bit, catering private parties and helping fulfill an ever-increasing demand for pet sitters. As though he did not already have enough going on in his schedule, Budaj recently adopted Cobblestone, a brindle boxer puppy, and on Sunday acquired a sister to him, a white boxer he has not yet named. He has had dogs in his life in the past, but he looks forward to raising his two new family members and the motivation they will offer to get out and walk even more than he already does.

Meanwhile, he loves his work and intends to stay with it as long as possible, as well as to remain on Nantucket, perhaps until it is his turn to have someone care for him.

"I want to continue to live here, stay healthy and happy and try to participate and give back as much as I can to a community that has been so good to

me," said Budaj. I