Longtime Red Wings Announcer Budd Lynch Dies At 95
Budd Lynch, the voice synonymous with the Detroit Red Wings to the millions of fans coming to games at Joe Louis arena, has died at the age of 95.
The public address announcer first joined the Red Wings family in 1949 at radio play-by-play man and became the P.A. announcer in 1985, holding that post until 2012.
The Red Wings posted various tributes to Lynch online at their team website including a statement from the team owner.
“Budd Lynch was a dear member of the Detroit Red Wings family and legendary icon of our community,” said Red Wings’ owner Mike Ilitch. “Hearing Budd’s voice on the radio and over the public address at Joe Louis Arena was something that every Red Wings fan looked forward to and loved. His calm, friendly and distinguished voice was symbolic of who Budd was as a person.”
The Associated Press reports that Budd, whose given name was Frank Joseph James Lynch, began his broadcasting career in 1936 at a Hamilton, Ontario radio station shortly after graduating from high school. He volunteered for service and was a Canadian war vet who lost his right arm and shoulder in World War II. As play-by-play man for the Red Wings, Lynch called four Stanley Cups (1950, ’52, ’54, and ’55).
Lynch was given the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award at the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985 by the NHL Broadcasters Association and is also a member of the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
Lynch is survived by his daughters: Janis, Valerie, Mary, Francey, Patricia, and Lori.
