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Walter Budney

Walter R. Budney died peacefully at home on July 12, 2024, with his wife Betty at his side. He was born Oct. 16, 1925, the son of Jennie (Gutoski) and Frank Budney. He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife Kathleen (Lynch), sister Lorraine Flanagan, brother Richard Budney, and nephew Paul Budney.

Walter had an extraordinary life, which began from modest beginnings in Ivoryton. His mother was a Polish immigrant, and his father was a first-generation American whose families came to America for freedom and opportunity. Walter excelled at sports, especially baseball, and captained both his high school soccer and baseball teams, leading the soccer team to an undefeated season. Despite his diminutive size, he was known as a power-hitting 3rd baseman and for hitting the longest home run ever at the Ivoryton Ballpark. Like so many of The Greatest Generation, he left school at 17 to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He flew 23 missions over Europe as a tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator. Upon returning home, Walt received his GED and quickly realized working at the local factory wasn’t for him. Through the GI Bill, he earned a B.A. from Bridgeport University and then went on to receive his law degree from Boston University. While he was in Boston, he met his future wife Kathleen Lynch who was attending a nursing program there. After graduating from BU, Walt moved back to Ivoryton and started his law practice and family. He practiced law as a defense attorney for 26 years and was well known for his humor and compassion. After a distinguished career as an attorney, Walt was appointed to the bench by Governor Ella Grasso. He served as a trial judge, administrative judge, and finally as a senior trial referee until his retirement at age 92. He was known as a real “lawman” in his administration of justice.

After he lost his first wife to cancer, he was fortunate to find love again and married Elizabeth Johnson in 2001. Together they were able to enjoy the Golden Years with winters in Florida and summers in Connecticut. Besides the law, Walt’s other passions were playing traditional and Dixieland Jazz on his clarinet, and he continued his athletic pursuits on the golf course.

Walter is survived by his wife, Betty (Johnson); his children, Kathleen Heaton, MaryEllen Budney, Jane Vecchi (Michael), and John Budney (Caroline); stepchildren, Beth Johnson (Dane DeBartollo) and Eric Johnson (Debbie); 13 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, July 22, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 14 Prospect, Essex. Burial will follow in Centerbrook Cemetery, Westbrook Road. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Essex Veterans Memorial Hall, Centerbrook, CT.