Life-long Port resident Andy J. Budny dies at 61

The Island Now
Andy Budny (Photo courtesy of Jill Morrison)

Andrew (Andzej) John Budny, known by many as Andy Budny, was a lifelong resident of Port Washington, died suddenly on Saturday, March 10.

Andy was born Jan. 10, 1957 in Poland, and at 5 he moved to Port with his family to join his father’s brothers, who worked at the Fricke Estate in Sands Point. Andy was a 1974 graduate of Schreiber High School. One of his first jobs was as a cook at Virgil’s Steak House Restaurant on Main Street opposite the Beacon Movie Theater. Through the years, he was a jack of many trades and proficient at all. He had recently retired from working for the Village of East Hills in Roslyn, but kept busy by continuing to work at Jerome’s Auto body, at his own landscaping business and at other jobs maintaining homes and estates.

Budny was a friendly, colorful character, known by many for his kind and caring heart. He helped many of his elders and the homebound, visiting and bringing them good cheer to brighten their day with his funny jokes and little gifts of vegetables and flowers from his garden, eggs from his chickens, palms on Palm Sunday from St. Peter’s, and at other holidays. During the summer, he was known for preparing his famous steak and lobster barbeques, with fresh homegrown vegetables from his gardens for family and friends.

Andy had a green thumb and was best known for the many beautiful estate gardens he grew, manicured and maintained for many residents in Port Washington, Roslyn, Manhasset and Great Neck through his lifetime.

He loved motorcycles — buying his first motocross motorcycle from Sal Defeo at Ghost Motorcycles on Main Street, where he’d often spend his free time in his younger years.

Andy loved music and the Beatles, concerts at the library and listening and dancing to rock n’ roll music. He was very active in sports and enjoyed skiing, bowling, horseback riding, tennis, ice skating and motocross riding. He loved caring for his dogs, cats, chickens and even a mynah bird.

He was very proud of his Polish heritage and would often visit the Polish district in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, shopping for traditional Polish fare.

He dearly loved his family and friends and was a doting husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and cousin. His wife, daughters, grandchildren, and family were the joys of his life.

Andy is survived by his wife Joan (DeLaura), his daughters Sabrina, Andrea and their husbands, and their brother Michael; his siblings Kyrstyna Budny McCann, Elizabeth, Frank, Tommy, Alex and their spouses; his grandchildren Sawyer, Quinn, Ryder, Cali and Pierce; and his brothers and sister-in-laws, uncles, his goddaughter, many cousins and extended family members. Andy was predeceased by his parents — his mother, Alfreda, his father, Mirian, and his dear sister Donna.

Visiting Thursday, March 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Whitting Funeral Home, 300 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Head, N.Y. 11545.  Funeral Mass Friday, March 16, 9:30 a.m., St. Peter of Alcantara Roman Catholic Church, 1327 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington, NY.  Interment Nassau Knolls Cemetery, Port Washington, N.Y.

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