Alfred S. Budnick

DATELINE: WEST PALM BEACH, FL

Alfred S. Budnick, 82, passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at St. Mary’s Medical Center.  He was the beloved husband of Janet (Novick) Budnick for 59 years. Born in Haverhill, MA, a son of the late Morris and Ida (Tinter) Budnick, he had lived in West Palm Beach, FL for two decades after nearly 25 years as a resident of East Greenwich, RI.

Devoted father of Dean Budnick and his wife, Leanne Barrett, of East Greenwich, RI and the late Stacy Budnick.  Dear brother of Robert Budnick and Linda Budnick. Loving grandfather of Caroline and Quinn Budnick.

Alfred graduated from the University of Rhode Island’s College of Engineering in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Three years later he received his master’s degree in manufacturing management from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.  At URI’s 1997 commencement, the school conferred him with an honorary Doctor of Laws.

Budnick was the longtime president of Cherry Semiconductor Corporation, based in East Greenwich. He co-founded CSC’s immediate predecessor Micro Components Corporation in 1972, serving as president for the Cranston, RI-based company while commuting from Holliston, MA. He relocated to East Greenwich in 1977 and as president of CSC, broke ground on the company’s new state of the art facility, which he expanded over the years as the number of employees in Rhode Island ultimately increased from 20 to over 1000. By the time of Budnick’s retirement in 2000, CSC also employed an additional 1400 individuals across the globe, while generating more than $100 million in annual sales.

In 1997 Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Almond appointed Budnick to the Board of Governors for Higher Education. In this capacity, Alfred was one of the 15 individuals serving three year-terms to oversee the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island, charged with appointing and dismissing the presidents of these institutions, among other responsibilities.

Alfred believed strongly in public service and made an active effort to connect with the community. At Temple Sinai, the Cranston, RI congregation his family joined in 1977, he served as chairman of the education committee and the facilities committee. He also donated his time to Junior Achievement, working with social studies students at Aldrich Junior High School in Warwick, RI to understand business fundamentals.

These efforts continued following his move to Florida.  He volunteered at SCORE Palm Beach, advising fledgling entrepreneurs who were launching small businesses. He also became a small claims court mediator for Florida’s 15th Judicial Circuit, in Palm Beach County. In addition, he was appointed to the Safety Committee of the Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center.

Budnick was a strong advocate for physical fitness, going all the way back to his days as a varsity tennis player at Rogers High School in Newport, RI. He would later become a golf enthusiast as a member of the Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown, RI and later the Club at Ibis with multiple holes-in-one to his name, as well as some tournament victories. He was part of a regular bike riding crew at Ibis, where his business acumen also led him to serve as a member of the country club community’s Finance Committee.

Throughout his life he would remain a proud graduate of URI. He served on URI’s Executive Committee of the College of Engineering’s Advisory Council, the Advisory Board for Sensors and the Surface Technology Partnership for Education and Research. He also actively participated in URI’s mentoring program, encouraging students to visit his East Greenwich facility and providing advice and direction for future careers.  In 1998 the College of Engineering named him to the first class of its Hall of Fame.  During the period between his retirement from CSC and his relocation to Florida, he re-entered the classroom to teach a class at URI.

Above all else, Alfred Budnick was defined by his deep love of family. He joined his beloved wife Jan on a six decade journey that carried them across the globe but his thoughts were never far from home. His life’s decisions always turned on their implications for those he held dear.

Alfred Budnick was a true mensch. He will be missed deeply but his legacy will endure in many profound expressions of kindness, consideration, integrity and love.

Funeral services and shiva will be private. Contributions in his memory may be made to the University of Rhode Island, Alfred S. Budnick ’59 Scholarship Endowment. Checks should be made to the URI Foundation, sent to PO Box 1700, Kingston, RI 02881, with a note in the memo line or make a secure gift online at urifae.org.

10 Comments

  1. Jeff Sacher
    Sep 6, 2020

    Mrs. Budnick, Dean-o,

    Sorry for your loss. It has been a long time since I have seen my parents choked-up for so many days. Al, big Al, Mr. B also was very special to my brothers, my wife and me. You guys never missed a Sacher event as you and your families always have been and always will be part of our family (aka as the Sacher Clan or Gang). Anyway, no kinder people walk the planet than you folks, and all the service and giving is just a demonstration of it. My belief is that people will indoctrinate Al’s lessons and teachings in their everyday life – sort of a living memory of him; at least I will. In thinking about Al and Westfield Dr., these lines came to mind, “Standing on the Moon, with nothing left to do. A lovely view of heaven, But I’d rather be with you, be with you” – Garcia/Hunter.

    Love, Jeff Sacher

  2. Gail Agronick
    Sep 6, 2020

    Mrs Budnick and Dean,

    May Al’s memory be a blessing. I’m wishing you and you family peace.

    With love,

    Gail Agronick

  3. Peter Levine
    Sep 6, 2020

    i served with al as a mediator in palm beach county for many years…he was a mensch and will sadly be missed by those with whom he came in contact!…may his memory be for a blessing to his family, and may they be comforted among the mourner of zion and jerusalem!

  4. Roz and Marv Ladov
    Sep 7, 2020

    Dear Jan:
    Our deepest condolences to you on Al’s passing. We hope that the wonderful memories that you have of him will be your source of strength during this difficult time.

    Love,
    Roz and Marv

  5. Susan Sidel
    Sep 8, 2020

    Dear Janet, Dean and family,
    My heartfelt condolences for your loss!

    Sue Sidel

  6. Sarah Corbin
    Sep 9, 2020

    What through the radiance that was once so bright
    Be now forever taken from my sight
    Though nothing can bring back the hour
    of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower
    We will grieve not, rather find
    strength in what remains behind
    -William Wordsworth

    Bright and kind, funny and generous, Al, I will miss you. Jan,
    my prayers are with you, stay well and cherish the memories of your life together. My life has been richer knowing the two of you, thank you.

  7. Sandra Davis
    Sep 9, 2020

    I worked at CSC and Micro Components for a total of 24 years for the VP of Marketing & Sales. Al (as I called him) was a great person and president of CSC. He was always kind and treated all of the employees with respect. My deepest condolences for your loss. May he rest in peace.

    Sandy Davis
    Warwick, RI

  8. Walter & Janice McMann
    Sep 9, 2020

    For over twenty years I had the privilege of working on Al’s management team at CSC. Al was highly respected by his employees and was, in my mind, a role model. Al personally met with all levels of employees and responded fairly to their concerns. Under Al’s leadership CSC was the “Company of Choice” to work for in Rhode Island. Al was also a good friend, and we do miss the relationship we had over these years.
    Our sincere condolences go out to his wife Jan and his family.
    May he rest in everlasting peace,

    Walt and Janice McMann
    Jupiter, FL

  9. Robert Ayotte
    Sep 11, 2020

    To the Budnick Family,

    So sorry for your loss. Al was a classmate at URI and we were a very small group of I.E. students so in college, we were quite close. I would see Al at class reunions and I also had the pleasure of serving as MC at the Engineering Dinner where Al was inducted into the COE Hall of Fame. Always a very nice guy!

  10. Debra Boxer
    Oct 12, 2020

    Jan,

    I was so sorry to hear of Al’s passing. I have very fond memories of you, Al, and our families times together many years ago when we both were younger. I would love to reconnect; you have my email address and perhaps we can catch up…

    Fondly, Deb

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