Ralph VanAken Budington, 90, of Longmeadow passed away on December 26, 2017 at Baystate Medical Center. Born in Springfield on October 22, 1927 he was the son of the late Justin L. and Marie L. (Mock) Budington. In 1947, Ralph enlisted in United States Army, stationed in Korea assigned to the Rangers as a military policeman. After his service ended, he attended the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts from 1949 to 1953, majoring in the Commercial Art program. Ralph married his loving wife, Margaret (Welch) in 1956, who passed in 1983. He worked for Pratt & Whitney/United Technologies from 1960 to 1992, when he retired as the Art Director of Technical Illustration. Ralph was locally renowned in the late 1980's and '90's for his Art car and Batman Museum. He was a member of L.A. Tifft 15 SUVCW. Ralph had a passion for art and was a true artist. He was an avid collector of antiques, especially art. Ralph was part of the art movement in Springfield at the Zone Art Center. Along with art, he loved all types of music. Ralph was a lifelong Hot Rod enthusiast. Ralph leaves his five children, Margaret Livingstone and her husband Kevin of Northfield, Elizabeth Budington-Fleming and her husband James of Brighton, MA, Thomas Budington and his wife Xochiltl of Agawam, Hilary Budington and her wife Cherie of Chicopee, and Ralph Budington, Jr. and his wife Tina of East Longmeadow; three grandchildren, Boston Livingstone and his wife Sarah of Sunderland, and Sabrina and Paige Budington of Agawam; and his best friend and sweetheart of 26 years, Annie Cornine. A calling hour for Ralph will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 from 11am-12noon at Byron Keenan Funeral Home, 1858 Allen St, Springfield followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 12noon. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Park Cemetery. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO BOX 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 and Dakin Humane Society, PO Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101 www.DakinHumane.org.  

 Service Information