By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE – Red Wings announcer and Hockey Hall of Famer Budd Lynch will receive a key to the city as part of a tribute ceremony at 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Downriver Italian American Club, 646 Biddle.
Mayor Joseph Peterson make the presentation.
Cost is $50 per person, with the proceeds benefiting The Guidance Center. Tickets and information are available from the mayor’s office by calling (734) 324-4544.
Frank Joseph James “Budd” Lynch, a city resident, was born in Windsor, Ontario, on Aug. 7, 1917. He served in World War II with the Essex Scottish Regiment of the Canadian Forces and lost his right arm in combat.
After the war he joined the Red Wings, who won the Stanley Cup during his first year with the team, as well four of his first five years. In 1949 he became the team’s radio play-by-play announcer.
When Lynch tried to retire in 1975, Alex Delvecchio convinced him to stay on as director of publicity. When he tried again to retire in 1982, Marian Ilitch asked him to stay on as public address announcer, a role he continues to this day.
Lynch was inducted as a media honoree into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985. He was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2005 he received the Ty Tyson Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting from the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association.
On Nov. 5, Lynch was honored at Joe Louis Arena for the 60th anniversary of his first play-by-play television broadcast of a Red Wings game.