Philip Augustus Buscemi

Philip Augustus Buscemi, PhD, born in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, passed away at age 92 on August 11, 2018 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. He is preceded in death by parents, Philip Andrew and Hazel Cain Buscemi.

He is survived by Margaret Buscemi; three children; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

They include daughter Cynthia and her husband John O’Connor of Kalispell, Montana; daughter Lisa and husband Noel Mote of Rio Rancho, NM; and son Stephen and wife Sherrie Buscemi, also of Rio Rancho, NM.  Grandchildren include Shawna [O’Connor] and husband Josh Allen of Spokane, WA ; Isaac O’Connor and Cody O’Connor, both of Kalispell; Honour Buscemi and Harmony Buscemi, both of Tucson; Haley Buscemi and Holly Buscemi, both of Rio Rancho;  and Charis and Caleb Mote, also of Rio Rancho. The four great-grandchildren are Connor, Madison and Aiden Allen; and Wyatt O’Connor.

He earned his PhD at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and then worked for universities in Idaho and Oklahoma before moving to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, NM, where he taught limnology, zoology, and general biology. Dr. Buscemi served as head of ENMU Department from 1978-1981, and was published in various scientific journals, as well as authored Principles of Zoology: A laboratory manual, 1960.

He was noted in Who’s Who in Biology Science magazine for his work on New Mexico lakes.  As a pre-eminent limnologist, he discovered a zooplankton in Idaho that had previously only been known in Europe and presented this finding at an international limnology convention in Austria.  He often organized marine biology excursions to Baja, California for his biology classes at ENMU. Dr. Buscemi shared a special love of dolphins with his granddaughters Charis Mote and Harmony Buscemi.

In addition to his interest in biology, he also held an avid interest in aviation. He obtained a private pilot’s license as did his son Stephen, who treasured time with his dad as they rebuilt a 1946 Aeronica Champion together and flew it for several years. His grandson Isaac inherited Grandpa’s love of building things. 

Dr. Buscemi had a life-long love of learning and teaching which he enjoyed sharing, especially with his family. Grandpa Phil inspired an appreciation of nature, health, and animals. His grandson Cody O’Connor attributes his interest and talent as a healing massage therapist to his grandfather.  Daughter Cynthia says her dad taught her to ride horses and, as a man who raised and showed Norwegian Elkhounds all around the country, he imparted a love for dogs in all of the family.

He was also generous with his time and abilities. His youngest daughter, Lisa, recalls sitting in rocking chairs with her dad when she was little and watching Hee-Haw and Mash on TV. He enjoyed spending time with the Mote family in his latter days, where he delighted playing with their dogs, and was a source of laughter and joy, particularly for his grandson Caleb.