Obituary of Edward J. Budai Jr.

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of the best man we knew. Our husband and father, Edward J. Budai, Jr., 65, left for heaven on January 23, 2023, with his wife and children by his side.

Ed was born on October 7, 1957 in Poughkeepsie, to the late Edward J. Budai, Sr. and Florence (Speckenbach) Budai. He graduated from Arlington High School and earned a degree in Political Science from Suny Cortland, where he had the time of his life. He was a brother in the Delta Kappa Beta fraternity while there, and loved to tell hilarious stories about this time in his life. 

Ed spent 35 years working at a job he (mostly) loved. He worked his way up from a lot boy, to service advisor, to dispatcher at Friendly Honda. He became a well respected and well loved employee and mentor to many in his years there. He retired in July 2023.  

Ed was a die hard JETS fan, no matter how bleak the season. He loved to watch and talk football with our son, E.J. His other great love was spending a Sunday with some beers and a Nascar race on the TV.

His greatest pride and love was our family. He pushed us all to be our best, and we will spend the rest of our lives trying to honor him. We will do this by keeping our yard neat and mowed, and never leaving our Christmas lights up all year! We will toast him with moonshine and Juice Bombs at every barbecue and holiday, and continue on telling all of his crazy stories from his wild life.

Ed is survived by his wife of 28 years, Kelly (Riordan) Budai. He also leaves behind three children that adored him. Lacey Riordan-Budai of Hyde Park, Shelby Budai of Poughkeepsie, and E.J. Budai, at home. He is also survived by his mother in law, Dawn Decker, his sister Karen Budai, of Wappinger Falls, and his uncle Vincent Speckenbach, of Locust Grove, Va., who was like a father to him.

Please come to celebrate Ed's life with us on Sunday January 29, 2023 from 1-5 PM, at the TImothy P. Doyle Funeral home, 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie NY. A short service will take place at 4:15 at the funeral home.