James Anthony Budinetz

It is with heavy heart that I announce the passing of James “Jim” Budinetz on June 30, 2025. He was born on April 17, 1947 in Northampton, Pennsylvania to Edward and Isabel (Ledo) Budinetz.

Jim grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and was a paperboy from the age of 4, first helping his brother, and then on his own until he was 18. As a young teen, Jim won a trip to Portugal selling newspaper subscriptions by cold calling people out of the phonebook. He credited that job with teaching him the value of hard work. He graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High School, and received his undergrad degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia. He received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Harvard University.

Most of Jim’s career was spent in the automotive industry, from working at Ford Motor Company, owning a car dealership, working for an automotive software company, and managing several dealerships. The last dealership he worked for, Smart Motors in Madison, Wisconsin, brought him the most pride with what they were able to accomplish. He was instrumental in taking it from a smaller dealership to the #1 Toyota dealership in Wisconsin, while keeping customer ratings at a high level.

In October of 1995, Jim married Lynn Gunnelson in Cambridge, Wisconsin, and they were an inseparable team for the next 30 wonderful years. They lived in La Crosse, Wisconsin for 4 years, where they enjoyed boating on the Mississippi River. They then moved back to Madison, Wisconsin, where they continued boating and became active in the Madison Convertible Club. In 2017 Jim and Lynn purchased a home in Fort Myers, Florida, and lived there as Snowbirds. In 2019, they sold that home as well as their home in Madison, Wisconsin, and moved to Boca Royale Golf & Country Club in Englewood, Florida fulltime. They made many friends there with Trivia Night, Name That Tune (which they were on the winning team several months in a row), organizing many parties and spending time at the Tiki Bar. Many friends have commented that Jim was the first person that they met when they moved into the community. In 2024 they made the decision to move farther north in Florida to Citrus Hills. They have only been there for a short time, but have made many great friends.

Jim always took a genuine interest in people, and loved getting to know them. He could talk to anyone like they were an old friend. He was always there for his children whenever they needed him for things large and small. He adored his two adopted cats, Violet and Oliver, before they passed, and his newly adopted cats, Oscar and Felix. He loved music, particularly Old Time Rock and Roll, and didn’t need to be asked twice to hit the dance floor with Lynn or even all by himself. Jim also loved grilling chicken and deep-frying turkeys. He once deep fried 7 turkeys on Thanksgiving Day.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Lynn, whom he adored, and his children, James of West Harford, Connecticut, Julie (Rich) Weitzel of Monument, Colorado and Robert of Emmaus, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by his sister, Anita Medvedik of Fort Myers, Florida; his sister-in-law, Yako Budinetz of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania; his grandchildren, Grace Weitzel, Charlotte Weitzel and Madeline Weitzel, all of Monument, Colorado; his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Gunnelson; his sister-in-law, Lori Gunnelson; and his brother-in-law, Brian (Carol) Gunnelson all of Cambridge, Wisconsin, as well as many nieces and nephews. They will all miss him terribly.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward & Isabel Budinetz, brother Edward Budinetz and father-in-law Lawrence Gunnelson.

A celebration of life will be planned for a future date.

If you wish, donations in his memory can be made to the Humane Society or Cat Rescue of your choice.