Shawn Kelly Budd

Shawn, a longtime resident of Sandwich, was born in New Haven, CT, on May 22, 1969, to Gabriella and Richard Budd. Shawn grew up surrounded by family and moved to the Cape during middle school, after several years in Vermont, where he began a lifelong love of skiing. He graduated from Barnstable High School and later from Emerson College in Boston, where he studied video production and launched his career, first working for a documentary production company and then establishing his own production company in 1998. Shawn had a tremendous work ethic, taking jobs across the Northeast and around the world.

Shawn took immense pride in his work and never stopped recording, whether at work or play. He was able to combine his love of music and the outdoors with his talent for videos. He filmed many bands and loved filming locations across the Cape, with many of his videos still available on his YouTube channels, https://www.youtube.com/@shawnbudd/featured, and https://www.youtube.com/@capecodBudd/videos.

It was during high school that Shawn developed his interest in music and began DJ-ing at college radio stations, including WKKL. Shawn was part of the film crew at this year’s Goner Festival in Memphis. He loved finding new bands, and that was a great place to do it. There, he had lunch with Robin Hitchcock and discovered his latest favorite band, Pet Mosquito. Shawn was lucky enough to travel with and document The Freeze on their last West Coast Tour. He shot countless bands and made countless friends, including the Amazing Royal Crowns, Oblivians, and Guitar Wolf.

His love for music is only surpassed by his passion for his family. His love for Diane, his wife of 25 years, was limitless. They enjoyed many adventures together, following bands across Texas, cruising with Shawn’s family, and watching their children grow. He was devoted to his children, Ursula and Austin, and extremely proud of them. He often traveled to photograph their recitals, regattas, hockey games, car shows, and more. As they grew, he loved biking, boating, and skiing with them. As they got older, he introduced them to the music he loved and took them to shows. He was looking forward to seeing how far Ursula’s sailing would take her and where Austin would go to college.

He was a very loving son, at his mother’s side whenever possible, and always trying to lend a helping hand. They shared a love of the beach and nature. With his father, Shawn was like a best friend, holding long conversations and playing practical jokes. Shawn was very close to his surviving grandmother, Nana Phyllis, and lived with her while he worked for ESPN. He was also very close to his Aunt Bunny, who doted on him like a younger brother and was always willing to listen to him in times of need or share a good joke. His Aunt Lena was also ever-present in his life, always by his mom’s side. Shawn was predeceased by his Nana, Eva, of Centerville, who spoiled him with lots of chocolate.

Shawn was perhaps happiest on the water. He enjoyed swimming and riding the waves. In high school, his Aunt Bunny gave him a windsurfer, and he was rarely found anywhere but Kalmus Beach, mastering his boards and the wind. Of late, Shawn returned to the waters of Hyannis, where he could be found relaxing on his Whaler or at the Hyannis Yacht Club.

Shawn was loved by all who were lucky enough to spend time with him. Whether sharing a new band he had discovered, a secret spot on Cape Cod, or a wildly exaggerated story, he was always happy to create a gourmet pizza and pour a glass for any friend. Shawn had a wonderful way of letting people know that he believed in them, and we will all miss him terribly.

In lieu of flowers, a Children’s Fund has been established at Cape & Coast Bank to help with college tuition for Shawn’s children. Please contact their aunt, Catherine Wilson directly for donation information at [email protected] .