Sports
Red Wings Announcer Budd Lynch Remembered as Compassionate Family Man
He may have raised his voice during a game, but never at his Wyandotte home, his daughter said.
“Growing old is a privilege.”
That was a saying Budd Lynch used to repeat. It's also one that he lived by.
A memorial Mass was held Saturday morning at St. Joseph Catholic Church for the longtime Red Wings announcer and Wyandotte resident who died Tuesday.
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Lynch's grandson, Joe Schimizzi, quoted his grandfather's phrase during the packed service in front of fans and loved ones.
He also spoke of the time he unwittingly became Lynch and his late wife Thelma’s designated driver one St. Patrick’s Day after an invitation to go to the Red Wings game with them.
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Often seen around Wyandotte, Lynch would always stop and chat about hockey, or golf, or whatever was going on at that time.
His daughter, Mary, said she never remembered her dad yelling at them or being angry with them.
Lynch still played golf, worked and held a golf outing to support the Downriver Guidance Center, which now has an endowment fund named after him. Lynch also worked and supported other amputees, especially wounded veterans. Lynch lost his right arm and shoulder in battle shortly after the D-Day Invasion at Normandy
Red Wings great Gordie Howe paid his respects at Saturday's funeral, along with team co-owner Marian Ilitch, General Manager Ken Holland, former Coach Dave Lewis and retired player John Ogrodnick.
Lynch's daughters, Fran, Lori and Jan, all spoke, along with grandsons, Nick and Joe, and granddaughter, Carolyn.
The service ended with a playing of his recorded voice saying, ”The last minute of play in this period.”
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling was then sung, followed by bagpipes and bugles.
