I BAPTIZE YOU TRAINWRECK

     The CLGM has always prided itself in offering cradle to grave service both in the city and country. Weddings are hit and miss, but baptisms and funerals are always spot on. There’s something about baptizing a little baby or even a grown individual in front of a charged congregation that fires everybody up. The same can be said for a memorial. We tend to “roast” as we remember those passed, allowing the group to cry, laugh and give the middle finger to the grim reaper…… in the face of our obvious mortality. It is cathartic.

    Quite a few years ago we convened a specific “baptism” church. I dragged a colorful kiddie pool into church, filled it with cold water and went about baptizing “baby Moses” aka Josh Druckman. There’s an old Catskill wive’s tale that tells of your window seat on the bus to heaven being dependent upon how many Jews you can baptize. I don’t know about that, but the baptism schtick went off without a hitch and I opened it up to any volunteers in the congregation. Out of the pews stepped a rather large, bearded man, who willingly plopped his ass down in the kiddie pool. He was a stranger to me, so I asked his name? “Trainwreck” he said with a big grin. “In the name of the father. In the name of the mother. In the name of the Little Green Man, I baptize you Trainwreck!” The congregation erupted in approval. Amen.

    A couple of days ago I got an email from a distraught congregant, Devin Blagbrough. He had been crying his eyes out and thought I should know—Trainwreck was dead. Gary “Trainwreck” Budnik had passed over to the other side.       

Hi Mike,

   Still in shock here, but I think that you should be aware, Gary Trainwreck Budnik passed from a heart attack yesterday while out hiking... I am sure Shannon will need some support, and I'm sitting here crying because he introduced me to Jenny, but I wanted to share with you to pass along to the congregation... we've lost another member too soon.    Let me know if you have any ideas to support, I'm sitting here crying over a good friend lost... but also want to support his wife who's left behind.   She mentioned he didn't want a funeral, but a party... if I can help make that happen for her for him, I'd be glad but you know the folks he knew as well if not better than I... so I'm sharing and also offering help while also assuming his wife needs help.

Tks,

-d

  Many in the community knew Trainwreck better than I did. He was a hockey player, a fixture at church, Dutch’s, the Farmers’ Market and a vocal member of the Rock Hill community. He was in his early forties. It’s never easy losing a loved one (at any age) but especially painful when one drops dead in their prime. Brett Budde ran into him in the gas station as he was heading out with his dog for that hike. Brett said he looked great, was full of life and couldn’t wait to hit the mountain for a little hike with the dog in the woods. 

   In times of birth and death the CLGM operates just like a “real” church. The day before yesterday we gathered for our usual Thirsty Thursdays cocktail hour at my place. Before the crowd thinned out we raised our glasses to Trainwreck—one of our own had passed way too soon. We toasted Gary as Stairway to Heaven appropriately played in the background. R.I.P. Trainwreck. You will be missed mightily by the CLGM congregation. Yes, unfortunately I will be getting another tattoo. Please reach out to Shannon. 

Back to Devin:

    

I am sorry I couldn't make it Thursday - I brought Shannon dinner and enough food for leftovers - I can only go back to my father's passing to know losing someone so close as she did, and I sat with her and her mother for over an hour talking.  When my dad passed, I forgot to eat unless someone handed me something and made me eat - its just something we forget, so that's what I do, I bring food and an ear to listen.   We talked about many things but of course Gary was foremost... he had lost over 60 pounds, quit eating meat, and all presumed he was more healthy - but as we know now what's in your heart and arteries is not always reflective of what you see on the outside... he had what they consider a widow maker - a clogged artery around his heart, and it caught up with him.   He was hiking along but on a well traveled trail... when he passed one group walking well with his dog, another passed within a few minutes and he was found on the ground - he didn't suffer, it was sudden, there was no sign of struggle where he was found... and he died doing what he came to love recently: Hiking with his dog.    They spoke that morning and after his hike, he had plans for buying a new chef's knife he had been saving for - he loved to cook and he was the chef in Shannon and his marriage - so as it turns out handing a grieving wife a meal she didn't have to figure out how to prepare was well received if only the least I could do...  we all have a thing we can do... and along that line, thank you for your blog - it was Gary that first brought me to CLGM and told me about your blog which I enjoy reading from time to time.  I'm honored to be a small part of it, though I wish it were under happier circumstances.

Tks,

-d

From Sarah Budde:

Gary's "Celebration of Life" will be held Saturday November 23rd from 1 - 4 PM

Rock Hill Firehouse 

61 Glen Wild Rd

Rock Hill, NY 12775

Feel free to share any photos as well for the memorial to RHfarmersmarket@gmail.com

The beautifully supportive reaction by Devin and others here in the mountains to Trainwreck’s passing is a testament to the heart of this Catskill community, that I am also so honored to be a small part of.