Richard Robert Budinich Jr.

The world lost a great man when Richard (Rich) R. Budinich, Jr., 61, of Kent, Washington, passed away on July 11, 2015. A recurring comment by all who knew him is "he was the best man I ever knew." To Rich, family was more important than anything else; he cherished spending time with his loved ones and those who were lucky enough to call him a friend.

Rich was born in Seattle on August 11, 1953 to Richard (Dick) Budinich, Sr. and Alexandria (Alex) Budinich. He attended Holy Family and Our Lady of Guadalupe Grade Schools and graduated from Seattle Preparatory High School in 1971. He went on to receive a Bachelor's Degree from City University in 1998. Rich worked for several companies within the automotive industry including Six Robblees, Wheel City, Terminal Service, CJ&M Transport, and Pacific Auto Transport.

Rich married the love of his life, April Schreiner, on August 29, 2006. Rich and April enjoyed 17 years of companionship, filled with an abundance of laughter, hugs, and kisses.

At the age of ten, Rich expressed a major interest in drumming and his uncle, Jerry Budinich, a professional drummer, took him under his wing. Soon, Rich was joining bands and always had a pair of drum sticks in his back pocket. He performed in multiple groups including Noah, Papa Jam, The South End Music Company, Subway, The Bud-E-Browne Band, Coyote Creek, and The Bones; all of this would lead to his co-founding of The Mercury Cruisers (1983-2002), one of the top Seattle-area bands of that era. Drumming was Rich's passion, his entertainment, his relaxation. Rich was one with the drums and instilled his intense love for music in his two sons, Nick and Alexander, both accomplished musicians. Up until his death, Rich was playing nearly every weekend in one of several bands, including Raucous, The Boomerang Band, Flannel Asparagus, and The Delridge Boys.

Rich is survived by his wife April (Schreiner) Budinich of Kent, his brother, John Budinich of Seattle, his two sons, Nick Budinich of Kent and Alexander Budinich of Boston, MA, his stepdaughter, Heather Dyer of Seattle, his stepson, Sean McKie of Fife, his granddaughter, Charlotte Lohmann-McKie of Fife, his aunts, Elaine Arkills of Quincy and Sharon Christodoulou of Bremerton, and dozens of cousins from around the globe. Rich is preceded in death by his father, Richard (Dick) Budinich, Sr., his mother, Alexandria (Alex) Budinich, and his brother, Christopher David Budinich.

A rosary service will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2015, 7 pm, at Yarington's Funeral Home, 10708 16th Ave SW, Seattle 98146. A picnic in celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2015, 11 am to 11 pm, at Royal Arch Park, 20821 Renton-Maple Valley Highway SE, Maple Valley 98038.

Dad, Husband, Brother, Nephew, Cousin, Papa...we love you. We miss you. We know you are rubbing elbows with Bonham and the other greats up in heaven.