Long Branch raised Judge Lloyd Budzinski has pounded his courtroom gavel for the last time after almost 30-years of dedicated legal service to this province.
Within days of his retirement, Budzinski was busy with projects around his home that he could not make time for while working.
Budzinski, a judge of the Ontario Court of Justice, was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 1992. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1971 and appointed Q.C. in 1982.
“I grew up right here in Long Branch,” he says proudly. “My parents ran the popular Boulevard Fish and Chips store for many years and I grew up helping them.”
The former waiter, teacher, computer programmer, Crown Attorney and Defence Counsel spends a lot of time giving back to his community by speaking to groups or answering questions on the law.
He has deep roots in the area, loves the people and the community.
“My parents had a business here for many years,” Budzinski says. “I love it here. We are a lovely working middle-class community.”
A hard worker, he rose through the legal system and at one time served as Director of Planning-Policy and Assistant Deputy Minister in the Ontario government.
He oversaw the implementation of Domestic and Elder Abuse protocols, first Diversion Policies in Ontario, the implementation of the Victim Witness Program, new protocols re-Nursing Home Prosecutions and assisted implementing the Zuber Report on Regionalization.
His role as the Acting Assistant Deputy Minister gave him responsibility for developing and administering an $80 million budget for 700 lawyers and support persons.
He also created and delivered educational programs and training videos for lawyers, investigators, teachers, probation officers and students at police colleges, universities and community groups.
The former judge over the years has presided over some exciting high-profile cases including ones involving the late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and the G20 Summit protestors.
He was also the Chief Prosecutor in the high-profile trial of former RCMP undercover officer Patrick Michael Kelly, who was found guilty of murder for throwing his wife Jeannette, from the 17th-floor balcony of their Palace Pier condo in March 1981.