COVENTRY, R.I. (WPRI) — The beloved founder of a Coventry garden shop that shuttered three years ago has died. Raymond "Ray" Budziak, who opened Budzie's Nursery off Fairview Avenue in 1961, passed away last Friday, according to his obituary. He was 84 years old. Budziak ran Budzie's Nursery for nearly seven decades alongside his wife Lorraine, who passed away in 2004, and his son Raymond. "Ray cherished the company of his family and friends, right up until the end," his obituary reads." On his final Friday he did just that: Ray was in Rhode Island delivering pumpkins with his son, visiting family and friends, doing exactly what he loved." Budziak opted to close up shop in Coventry and consolidate operations to his farm in Canajoharie, New York in 2020. Fairview Gardens has since moved into the space. Calling hours for Budziak will take place Saturday from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Iannotti Funeral Home on Washington Street. His funeral will be held that same day at 11 a.m. in Saints John & Paul Church. Raymond Budziak (Courtesy: Budzie's Nursery)Raymond Budziak (Courtesy: Budzie's Nursery)Raymond Budziak (Courtesy: Budzie's Nursery)Raymond Budziak (Courtesy: Budzie's Nursery) Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW