84, of Stoneham, beloved husband of Miriam (Juda) Buda, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. Born in Boston, he is the son of the late Carl and Julia (Croati) Buda.

Fred grew up in Fall River and attended Boston University. He is a veteran, having served in the United States Navy. Fred was a talented musician. He was a percussionist for the Boston Pops for 36 years, played the Tiampi for the Boston Ballet, percussion for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, played at venues such as the Wang Center, Schubert Theater, Tanglewood and the Wilbert Theater, along with playing with many famous musicians.

Fred enjoyed vacationing in North Waterboro, Maine. He also loved fishing and jogging. His greatest joy came from his loving family. He was extremely proud of both of his sons; David who is also a talented musician and Eli who is a pilot. Fred was also a dearly devoted grandfather to his three grandchildren.

In addition to his wife Miriam (Juda) Buda, he is the Devoted father of Eli Buda and his wife Kim and David Buda. Cherished grandfather of Ava, Sophie and Henry. Loving brother of late Clara (Buda) McDonald. He is the loving uncle of Steve McDonald and his wife Patty and great uncle of Carl and Brent.

Services to be held privately.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.barilefuneral.com. and for further information www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome.

Barile Family Funeral Home

Celebrating Life~Sharing Memories

781.438.2280

View the online memorial for Frederick Carl, Buda

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Published by Boston Herald on Dec. 15, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Frederick Buda

Sponsored by Barile Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Service - Stoneham.

17 Entries

Rick Frank

Planted Trees

Peter Amaral

February 5, 2021

Having grown up in fall river I recall freddy as a wonderful man and drummer . Now trying to get a hold of smitty. Arthur smith.

Arthur Smith / Michael Smith

July 17, 2020

I am very sorry to hear of Freddy passing on. He was a longtime friend of my dad Arthur Smith, a drummer from Fall River. He cried today as he told me what a wonderful man Freddy was. God bless you and your family Freddy Buda, may you rest with beautiful music. Michael Smith

Peter Furlong

January 3, 2020

I am so saddened to read of Fred's passing. He was a hero of mine from when I was a young lad. A common refrain in my household was "There goes Freddy!" whenever Arthur Fiedler let him loose.

Fred brought such a degree of musicianship and rhythm to those skins that has rarely been heard since.
I never did become a drummer (parental objections), but as a child I did imitate Fred as often as I could on whatever percussive objects I could find (usually old tissue boxes, tins, and paper towel rolls).

To meet him years later as a teacher at the undergrad school I went to was wonderful. To learn he was just as cool as one would hope was beyond thrilling. To have him play at my (first) wedding was an honour beyond that which I had the ability to adequately express.

I would like the family to know how loved he was throughout the music community, even if it is only a small sample of who Fred was. But whenever he played, he made the world a better place to live in.

December 31, 2019

I was just told of the passing of the Great Boston Pops Drummer Fred Budda.
He was good friend and I will miss him, my condolences, so sorry, to his family for their loss.
I am a member of the Symphony Hall House Crew and worked with Fred and my colleagues setting up his drum kit and anything he may have needed for his Pops performances and rehearsals.
God Bless, R.I.P. Fred,
Charlie Cassell

Mac Sloan

December 25, 2019

As a short tenor in the Holiday Pops concerts (1997-2001), I was usually center, front row, seated immediately behind Freddie. Before then, a friend in the TFC once said that he was one of the finest musicians she had ever seen. My initial reaction was "A drummer? Really?" Yes. He was the god father of percussion on that stage, and every other percussionist kept an eye on him. Sharing the stage with him was an honor and a highlight of my chorale career. Mac Sloan

Richard Jensen

December 17, 2019

So sorry for you lose Eli our prays are with you and your family love Rick and Nichole

December 17, 2019

Dear Mariam, Eli and David,
I am so sorry to hear of Freddy's passing. I can remember going to your house when I was very young with my Dad, Kenny Wenzel. I loved going to visit you all as I felt so welcomed and loved at your home. I enjoyed playing with the boys and having some wonderful meals. I just wanted to share the fond memories I have of your family. I'm sure Freddy will be greatly missed but will remain forever in all of our hearts. My Dad does not use a computer but sends his condolences. Hugs to you all.
Deepest Sympathy,
Julia Wenzel Kemink

Cynthia Price-Glynn

December 16, 2019

I join the large chorus of people grateful for Fred Buda as a person and as a musician, contractor, story teller, friend, and all-around nice guy. We respected, appreciated, and enjoyed him in his earthly life and know he will energize and enhance any Celestial Ensemble with his collegiality, humor, and always excellent rhythm - - as he avowed It's about TIME.
Thank you Miriam and his family for providing the base for Fred's extraordinary contributions to music in Boston and to so many of the lives and careers of Boston's musicians.

Cynthia Price-Glynn, retired Principal Harpist with Boston Ballet

James Lattini

December 16, 2019

Fred had a tremendous influence on me as teacher, mentor, and friend over the years. I studied with Fred at the University of Lowell and during the summers at his home. I also played in his studio orchestra at the University which was a great experience. I had the honor and pleasure of teaching along side of him at UMassLowell for Eighteen years. I will always treasure his invaluable advice as a teacher and peer. Most of all, I will always cherish the wonderful times that I enjoyed with him as a friend. Fred will always be forever in my heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to Miriam, David, Eli, and the rest of his family and friends.
Jim Lattini
Student/ Musician/ Friend
133 Old Ferry Rd.
Methuen, Ma. 01844
Dec. 16, 2019

Bruce Creditor

December 16, 2019

So saddened by Fred's passing. He was a generous man - with friendship (hey, man!), guidance, sincerity, warmth and giving of his time, and his energy from center upstage led many a Pops program with dedication, intelligence and "shving".
May he RIP and is now joining other colleagues in making great celestial music.
Bruce Creditor, Sharon, MA

Jim Demick

December 16, 2019

I had the privilege of private study with Fred for a couple of years in late 70's. Bar none, Fred was the best teacher, private or classroom I ever had. That he so readily and effectively shared his knowledge and feel for music extended his reach well beyond his own performances. We suffer his loss, but so much of what he did continues through those lives he touched both professionally and personally.

He was plain spoken, a true gentleman and a joy to be around. To Miriam and family, please accept my condolences for his passing.

Jim Demick
Barrington, RI

Howard Burnham

December 15, 2019

Sorry to hear of Fred's passing. I'll always remember the times I went fishing with him in Lake Arrowhead and the times Linda and I went out to dinner with Fred and Miriam.

Tom Lynch

December 15, 2019

My father (Tom Lynch) has Mr. Buda as a drum teacher in the late 1950s. My father loved him and thought he was a great teacher. Whenever my father went to the Boston Pops, he would always go up a intermission or at the end of the show to say hi. I had the chance to meet Mr. Buda a few times at these events and he was always extremely gracious. I am very sorry for your loss. Tom Lynch Jr

Tobias Monte Monte

December 15, 2019

Hello. This is Toby Monte, a student of Fred's at Lowell in the late 1970's. He was a great guy and a good friend of my mother, Irene Monte. He grew up in Fall River and played in one of the Portuguese bands when he was a kid (I think he told me that it was the Santo Christo Band. My brother Mike and I, as well as Bill Kingsland (part of the Fall River/New Bedford crew at Lowell back then) played in Studio Orchestra II, which Fred directed. Our group was generally acknowledged to be the better of the two groups, even though we were technically the "lower" group. It was all due to Fred. He was great and made us sound like a professional band.

I was always proud of the fact that Fred was a Fall River boy. My mother was the choral director for Durfee High School for years. The Band room at Durfee High School is named after and dedicated to Fred. The Orchestra room at Durfee is named after another Fall River boy: Sesame Street composer Joe Raposo. We produced a lot of good ones over the years, but Fred was always a brightly shining star!

A few years back, Fred came to Somerset to judge a jazz band festival. I hadn't seen him since the mid 80's and when I said hello it was like we had seen each other last week. Fred was a wonderful and talented guy that everyone loved and respected. I feel truly blessed and fortunate to have had him as a teacher and mentor. He will truly be missed!

Toby

Roni Noland

December 15, 2019

Unknowingly, Fred Buds was a hero in our house! First, please accept my condolences on your loss. Then, let me explain Fred's importance in our lives.
Our friend/best man/fellow BSO member, Larry Thorstenberg (English horn, also deceased) asked Fred for a recommendation for a dance band for our wedding. Fred complied, we were extremely
happy with his choice of a live
band. My husband and I are still together 44 years later!

Joseph Konzem

December 15, 2019

We offer our condolences to the Buda family. We're saddened by his loss but grateful for his presence in our lives. My wife and I both studied with Professor Buda at Berklee...a great source of learning and inspiration. It was a joy to hear him perform. Such a talented musician and real friend. Requiescat in pace, "Fred".

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