Career
He began his career in 1949 as the team"s radio play-by-play announcer. Lynch had been with the Windsor Spitfires when Red Wings" general manager Jack Adams asked him to call the games for his organization. A native of Windsor, Ontario, Lynch joined the Essex Scottish Regiment of the Canadian Army during World World War World War II
He lost his right arm during combat.
He attempted a retirement in 1975, but was brought back to the team by Alex Delvecchio as the Director of Publicity. A second retirement attempt in 1985 failed when Marian Ilitch asked Lynch to stay on as public address announcer.
His style as public address announcer was "simply relaying information to the crowd, not to act as a cheerleader." He often regarded Gordie Howe as the greatest player he has ever seen. In 1994, Lynch was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2005, Lynch was the recipient of the Ty Tyson Excellence in Sports Broadcasting Award awarded by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association.
Lynch is a two-time Past President of the DSBA and an honorary lifetime member. Starting in fall 2008, he was joined on the Pennsylvania at Joe Louis Arena by a second Pennsylvania announcer: first with John Fossen, and later with Erich Freiny, who is now his successor. On November 5, 2009, Lynch was honored at Joe Louis Arena for the 60th anniversary of his first play-by-play television broadcast of a Red Wings game.
After the ceremony, the Red Wings prevailed 2–1 over the San Jose Sharks in a shootout, and fans received Budd Lynch bobbleheads to celebrate the occasion.
Lynch was the longest-tenured employee in Red Wings history. He lived in Wyandotte, Michigan, until his death on October 9, 2012.
He was 95 years old. His is a voice so honored by fans, players and ownership alike, that a recording of Lynch"s voice will continue to announce, "Last minute of play in this period" for each home game.