Abelardo “Abel” Bayle Busque and Aida (Agduma) Busque of Sterling Heights were inseparable. If you saw one, the other couldn’t have been too far away. The couple met as teenagers, married in the Philippines, immigrated to the United States and raised a family. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year.
As immigrants, the two faced many challenges, but they always took them on together. In January they both were diagnosed with COVID-19 and fought it together in the hospital where Aida had a long career as an OB/GYN nurse. Abel passed away on Jan. 22, 2021, after a hard-fought battle; Aida followed him, passing away Jan. 31. They were both 73 years old.
Abel was born Feb. 4, 1947, in Cotabato City, Philippines, the son of the late Tomas Busque and Dionisia (Bayle) Busque. He was the third of seven children and graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from Notre Dame University in Cotabato City, Philippines.
Aida was born Oct. 17, 1947, in Lambayong, Province of Sultan Kudarat, Philippines, to the late Basilio and Subterania Agduma. She was the fourth of eight children. Aida graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from San Pedro Hospital School of Nursing in Davao City, Philippines. The following year, she moved to Chicago, Ill., to gain nursing experience and tour the United States. In 1971, she returned to the Philippines to marry Abelardo.
The following year, they had their first child, Mae Christine Busque. After the birth of their second child, Abelardo, Jr. (fondly called “Monday” for the day he was born), they took a leap into the great unknown together and immigrated to the United States, landing in Detroit, Mich. They left behind their home country, their friends and family in order to make a better life for each other and, more importantly, their children.
They bet on themselves, going to a place where the language and culture were not their own. In this great adventure, they had two more children, Emmanuel Joseph and Angelica Mary. While raising their four children, Abel and Aida had their own successful careers spanning almost four decades. Abel retired in 2007 from the Archdiocese of Detroit as the Director of Financial Services, having served under Cardinals Szoka and Maida. Aida retired in 2008 from St. John Macomb Hospital in Warren as an OB/GYN nurse. After their retirement, they enjoyed cross-country road trips, visiting most of the contiguous United States and traveling abroad to the Philippines and other parts of Asia. Most of all, they delighted in spending much of their time and energy on their grandchildren.
The guiding center of their lives was their Catholic faith; they were parishioners of St. Mary Magdalen in Hazel Park for more than 40 years. Abel and Aida raised their children to be moral, responsible and hardworking. They taught them that family is important above all else. Family was the reason to work hard — to put food on the table and clothes on their back, to support each other in the most trying of times, and to love one another in the most joyous moments.
And so once more, they leap into the great unknown. Together, Abelardo Bayle Busque and Aida Agduma Busque are survived by their children, Mae Christine Agduma-Busque, Abelardo Jr. “Monday” Busque (Sara Jean Baker), Emmanuel Joseph Busque (Rose), grandchildren Owen James, Elliott Bayle, Henry James and Maevis Angelica Rose. They are predeceased by their daughter Angelica Mary Busque.
Abel is also survived by his siblings Leonardo Busque (Milaflor), Gloria Busque Sarmiento (the late Luis), Mario Busque (Rogie), Melita Busque Tira (Edwin), and countless nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Tomas Busque, Sr. and Dionisia Bayle Busque, and brothers George Busque (the late Marilou) and Tomas Busque, Jr. (Edna).
Aida is also survived by her siblings Nancy Formoso (the late Melvin), Amparo Guerrero (the late Pedazur), Basilio Agduma, Jr. (Evangeline), Reynaldo Agduma, Nenita Agduma, Lilian Agduma (Teresa Thompson), nephew Erik Von Karl Agduma and countless other nephews and nieces. She is predeceased by her parents Basilio Perez Agduma and Subterania Divina Agduma, and brother Guillermo Agduma (Norma).
Visitation is Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, from 3 to 8 p.m. with a novena prayer service at 7 p.m. at Edward Swanson & Son Funeral Home, 30351 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights, MI 48071. Only 25 people at a time will be allowed inside the funeral home. Guests may be asked to wait outside in order to limit the number of visitors.
The Funeral Mass is at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, at St. Ambrose Parish, 15020 Hampton, Grosse Pointe Park. Interment immediately follows at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 25800 W 10 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48033. Social distancing and facemasks are required at all locations to ensure one another's safety.
The Novena service and the funeral will be livestreamed via Zoom; to request an invitation please email [email protected].
