Pabico, Rufino “Rufy” Camunas

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their  exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.” 

Our Dad – Rufino (“Rufy”) Camunas Pabico made his entrance to this stage on January  18th, 1934 in the Municipality of Vinzons in the Camarines Norte province of the  Philippines. And, sadly, exited on November 20th, 2022 in Rochester, NY – his home  for 50+ years.  

He would play many parts in his life – Doctor of nephrology, published author of “The  Exiled Government,” writer of award-winning poetry, college educator (University of  Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and Rochester Institute of Technology),  quoter of Monty Python silliness, baseball and football enthusiast, friends to the  animals, admirer of everything Shakespeare, globe traveler, environmentalist, WWII  history buff, Sierra Club member, Stratford theater-goer, political and civil rights  activist, chess addict, awesome sci-fi nerd, tennis trophy recipient, supporter of the  visual arts and classical music, and advocate to everyone who seeks equality and  inclusion. 

Left behind, and broken-hearted yet grateful for every moment with Rufy, are Mary  Jane – his partner, greatest love, and wife of 60 years; Roberta Johnson (Rochester,  NY) his oldest daughter and touchstone; Maria Pabico, his younger daughter and  fellow sci-fi dork; two son-in-laws – expert of finance Marc Johnson, and pop-surrealist  artist Craig LaRotonda.  

Rufy has siblings Napoleon and Carlos, half-sister Preciosa, and many loving relatives  in the Philippines, in-laws in Buffalo, NY and Pittsburgh, PA, and friends and colleagues  from around the world who he adored, and adored him …  

However, the stars who shined the brightest for him are his grandsons, as they made  him “Pop-Pop”: sports authority Alex (Symantha) Johnson (Rochester, NY), and world trotter Brian Johnson (Denver, CO). 

Rufy also cherished his grand-furbabies – Sebastian, Natasha, Rocket, Lucy, Ella, and  Lily – who appreciated every pet and treat he shared with them.  

Rufino was the oldest of five children in the family of the late Rufino Sr. (an army  colonel) and Cleofas (a school teacher), and he quickly showed the traits of being born  under the sign of Capricorn; he was hardworking, practical, an overachiever, and  sensitive to others from the start.  

His four younger siblings – brothers Alexander, Napoleon, Carlos, and sister Cleofas  looked up to older brother Rufino as their confidante, caretaker, and guide. Teaching  them how to swim in the Pacific Ocean, sound out the classic books in English (from  their native Tagalog), and Saturday afternoon trips to the cinema.

Even at this young age, Rufino took on additional responsibility when their city was invaded by Japanese  soldiers during World War II. His neighborhood had banded together in hiding, and he assisted his mother in keeping all the children safe and calm when the crisis escalated.  A commitment of surviving and staying together brought this tight-knit community  closer, and not one resident perished during this life-and-death-event. This would  further shape Rufino’s devotion to helping others.  

Rufy’s lifelong love of animals began with a chance meeting with a homeless dog. On  his walk home from school one afternoon, a group of older boys – known to bully  younger children – started to harass Rufy, and this stray german shepherd came  between them, making it known they were to leave Rufy alone. The dog was adamant  about guarding him, and after the encounter, proceeded to follow him home. It was  decided by Rufy and his family that this loyal dog would be adopted as their new family  member, and named him “Bantay“ – which means “guard” in Tagalog. And the group of  older boys would never bother Dad – or others – again. Roberta and Maria thank  Bantay, because that fond memory and loyal connection their Dad had with this sweet  friend helped his two young daughters convince him that they should adopt Dolly – the  littlest, the runtiest, the loudest beagle pup. And here she happily was with Rufy and  his family for almost 18 years; solidly staying by his side while he worked in his home  office, went on walks around the neighborhood, or while he watched Yankee baseball,  Wimbledon matches, or Bills games. 

Later in his career as a successful medical doctor of nephrology, Rufy would share with  friends and family a devastating loss he had as a child, and the impact it had on him:  the death of his baby sister Cleofas. Helplessly watching his mother navigate the loss  of her toddler would steer him towards an education in medicine. He wanted to  become a doctor who would work with peers and colleagues on research that would  benefit and help patients prolong the quality of their lives, or those of their family  members. Rufy had graduated from University of Santo Tomas medical school (class of  1957), and would soon head to the US to complete his internship and residency. 

Landing in Buffalo, NY, Rufy began this medical journey at Mercy Hospital South for a  two year internship, yet this was not the only life-changing event; it was here that he  met Mary Jane (nee Malinowski), the headstrong medical assistant who would soon  become his future wife, and mom to his kids. An offer for a residency in Georgetown at  George Washington Hospital would take them both to Washington, DC, where they  would build a home, and see their family grow by the addition of two daughters –  Roberta and Maria. 

After moving his family back to the Philippines for a year, Rufy would return to the  states, and finally settle in Rochester, NY to join the team in the nephrology department  at Strong Memorial Hospital. It was here he would continue to pioneer developments in  dialysis; being published in hundreds of medical journals / papers, and even appear on  CNN to discuss nephrology advancements. 

Rufy and Mary Jane traveled the world together, often taking Roberta and Maria with  them. His curiosity, respect, and joy in meeting people and exploring new cultures was passed along to his kids. As a family, this expanded their appreciation and love of art,  theater, music, literature, and global cuisine.  

Rufy treasured the company of family and friends; as president of the Rochester  Filipino Society he welcomed families to his home for holiday feasts and caroling. He  would head up a gathering for Sunday dim sum at a favorite Chinese restaurant. Rufy  was the curator of the most festive of songs for a Christmas tree decorating session.  Always an amateur chef at the ready to make an omelette for anyone who wanted one,  and happy to explain that putting live lobsters in a pot of white wine instead of water  would anesthetize them so they wouldn’t feel any pain during the cooking process. 

He was a doctor who cared about everyone. He would drive over 100 miles at night to  assist family who needed a doctor to help them better understand and discuss a  relative’s diagnosis with hospital staff. Give necessary medical treatment to AIDS  patients – and did so with respect – during the mid-80s when most healthcare  providers were wary to do so. A cry for “is there a doctor in the house?” was answered  by Rufy proclaiming “I am” – and then proceeded to provide life-saving medical  attention in the parking lot at a Bills’ game. He lovingly wore the hat of doctor with  quiet reserve, and without pomp and circumstance.  

Well after retiring, Rufy continued to be fascinated by the connection between  medicine and art or politics. He famously gave lectures at the Pittsford Community  Library on “Shakespeare and Medicine” and “Franklin Roosevelt and his health crisis  while leading the world” at his apartment complex at St. John’s Meadows. Even  signing copies on multiple occasions of “The Exiled Government: The Philippine  Commonwealth in the United States During the Second World War” – the book he  researched and wrote in 2006.  

He loved being a husband, dad, and granddad. Rufy celebrated his 25th anniversary  with Mary Jane by surprising her with an eco boat tour to view whales in the ocean. He  broke the fourth wall and climbed on the stage to re-attach an untied butterfly wing on  Roberta’s costume during her tap-dance recital. Proudly introduced his artist daughter  Maria to colleagues at the fanciest of restaurants, even though they were alarmed by  her shaved head and face piercings. Rufy was a virtuoso at enthusiastically “Air  Conducting” to Beethoven’s 9th to make Brian laugh in his car seat. Happily listened to  Alex discuss stats and lineups of the Green Bay Packers’ upcoming game on Sundays.  He never tired of watching “Sound of Music” or other musicals with his daughters, and  Rufy continually lit up when he and Mary Jane would dance together – especially to  Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing” or Roberta Flack’s “The First Time Ever I Saw  Your Face.”  

The memories and stories of Rufy are many – and you are invited to happily share  them. There are two occasions to do so – Please join us as we celebrate his birthday and his life on Wednesday, January 18th,  from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at Keenan Funeral Home (7501 Pittsford Palmyra Rd, Fairport,  NY 14450), with a private internment the following morning. 

And / or on Friday, January 20th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Revolution Gallery, 1419  Hertel Avenue, Buffalo NY 14216. Rufy was at home here, and very proud of this  space, as it is owned by his daughter Maria and her husband Craig.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite environmental not-for profit group or to the ACLU. Rufino – always an advocate for important causes or for  those in need – would appreciate your efforts and attention to do so.  

To Rufino – you are already so missed.  

“Live Long and Prosper”  

xoxo