Wyandotte Remembers Longtime Resident Budd Lynch, 95

With the passing of longtime Detroit Red Wings announcer Budd Lynch, 95, of Wyandotte, many in the community remember him as a great man who was never too busy to say hello or help a charitable cause.

Mayor Joseph Peterson said he knew Lynch for more than 35 years. They met when Lynch was a customer at a Mobil gas station at Northline and Biddle, where Peterson worked when he came home from the Vietnam War.

Lynch also was a military veteran, who served in the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II, his obituary said. He survived the amputation of his right arm.

And Peterson knew Lynch from when he coached hockey for 27 years, Peterson said. Lynch’s late wife, Thelma, worked for municipal services.

“Budd was a top-notch guy,” Peterson said. “He was always smiling. He always had time to talk to you.

“He was a great guy,” Peterson said. “He was one of a kind.”

Councilman Daniel Galeski also remembers Lynch as a great person. Wyandotte presented him with the key to the city a couple of years ago, “just because he’s Budd,” Galeski said.

Lynch was a Wyandotte resident for over 50 years in addition to working as an announcer for the Detroit Red Wings for 63 years.

“He had lots of charity events he sponsored,” Galeski said.

One of these was The Guidance Center in Southgate, which has set up The Budd Lynch Endowment Fund for Children in honor Lynch’s 20-plus years of support for children and families.

Galeski said one of the things Lynch did to help The Guidance Center was holding an annual golf outing.

“He’s been an icon,” he said.

Roosevelt High School varsity hockey coach Mike Quint said he also saw Lynch around Wyandotte a lot, especially at Brooklyn’s restaurant having dinner.

“Some guys with his celebrity status would have snubbed you,” Quint said. “He would never.

“He always went out of his way to say hi.”

Lynch was a big supporter of The Guidance Center, he added.

“Hopefully we can make that live on,” Quint said.

The Roosevelt High School hockey program might find a way to honor Lynch, he said. Lynch attended when the where the team plays, was remodeled and the ceremonial dropping of the puck took place with former Red Wings player Lee Norwood.

“I don’t think there’s a finer gentleman around," Quint said.

Wyandotte Patch readers also remember Lynch as a great person. Peter Rose posted the comment, “95 years is pretty darned good, Budd. A good man, a gentleman. Thanks for everything!”

Erin LaBeau and Kellie Farrell posted online that they remember Lynch from his trips to Brooklyn’s for dinner on Mondays. LaBeau said she’s glad she got to know him and “he will definitely be missed.”

Another reader, Ed Rychcik said in the early ‘50s, the Red Wings showed the last two periods of home games on TV. “I remember watching Gordie, Ted and Alex with Budd describing all the action,” Rychcik said. “I also had the privilege of hearing him speak at various fund raisers in the area. He was always there to help the unfortunate.”

Losing his arm in WWII never slowed Budd down, Rychcik said.

Tonia Rosalee Deliz was Lynch’s neighbor for many years, she posted on Wyandotte Patch. Deliz remembers him as wonderful, and very funny. Lynch would often stop by to talk when he was on his way to a Red Wings game or another errand.

“We were always leaving our homes quite often at the same time and he would always stop to chit chat,” she said. “I will miss him dearly. Rest in peace my Friend!”

Funeral services are Friday.