Howard “Budge” Walen, born January 3, 1938 in Boston, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 28. Budge grew up in Wakefield, Massachusetts, the son of Mary and Leroy Walen, and graduated from Wakefield High School. Throughout his life he was kind and generous — the sort of person who made every room brighter, often with music and laughter.

Budge attended Bates College, earning a B.A. in Sociology, and later received his Master’s degree in School Administration and Education from Northeastern University. He went on to complete a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration at the University of Maine at Portland–Gorham, preparing him for a career dedicated to supporting students and schools.

He began teaching at Wakefield Junior High School before moving to Maine in 1970, where he served as principal of Crosby Junior High School in Belfast and later assistant principal at Telstar Regional High School in Bethel. In 1976, Budge moved to Rockland and shifted his focus to family and community, owning and operating Finest Kind Market with his loved ones. He continued his commitment to education by serving on the Rockland District School Board in the early 1980s.

Music was the thread that ran through every chapter of Budge’s life. He learned piano as a child and took up the pipe organ in high school, beginning his lifelong work as a church organist. From Wakefield to Bates College to churches across Maine, Budge served as a music director and organist for decades, forming deep friendships with congregations and clergy throughout the Midcoast. He composed and published church music and anthems, taught countless piano, organ, and voice students. He enjoyed all types of music and played in a banjo band as a young adult. In college, he even marched with the bass drum in the band.

In his later years at Harbor Hill Center in Belfast, Budge brought joy to residents and staff alike with his daily 4 p.m. sing-alongs—folk songs, gospel hymns, holiday favorites—played with the same gentle enthusiasm he carried throughout his life.

Budge married his high school sweetheart, Marian Holman (now Marian Rector), shortly after graduating from college. Together they raised four children and shared 27 years of marriage, remaining close friends throughout his life.

Community service was central to who Budge was. He was a Freemason and a Shriner, serving as president of the Midcoast Maine Shriners Club in the 1980s. He was also a proud member of the Rotary Club in Rockland, always ready to lend a hand where it was needed.

Budge is survived by his children and their spouses: Stephen Walen and Nicky Blake-Walen of Lewiston, Maine; Marcia and Gary Crimmins of Gulf Breeze, Florida; Joyce and Kevin Witham of Reading, Massachusetts; and Robert and Monique Walen of Orlando, Florida. He leaves behind six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, all of whom brought him immense pride and joy.

A memorial service will be held later this summer at the Camden Congregational Church in Maine. Budge will be laid to rest at Forest Glade Cemetery in Wakefield, Massachusetts, returning home to the community where his story began.