Wallace, Michael J.

Description

Michael Joseph “Budge” Wallace was born on December 18, 1910, in Newark, New Jersey, to Ellen M “Nellie” Ryan, age 32, and David Richard Wallace He was raised and educated in Brooklyn where his father died in 1914 when he was four.
He had a sister Helen and a brother
John Michael.

His mother remarried and by early 1930’s the family was living in Rye at 502 Forest Ave. He married Johanna Van Den Ameele December 30,1931 in Port Chester, NY. The marriage would end in divorce in 1941. Michael was then working for Cunningham Cleanser Corp. in New York City.

Michael next worked as a concessionaire at Playland Amusement Park. He and his brother John took over the “Guess Your Weight and Age” concession from their uncle who had run it for 45 years. He was also a volunteer fireman at the Milton Point Engine and Hose Company of the Rye Fire Department.

Michael enlisted February 9, 1942 and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. His service number was 646 71 05. (SEE MUSTER ROLLS) and he was stationed at the Naval Air Station (NAS) at Recife, Brazil.

During WWII, the U.S. Navy established a significant Naval Air Station (NAS) at Recife, Brazil, focusing on anti-submarine warfare and patrol, particularly utilizing land-based patrol planes like PV-1 Venturas from bases like Ibura Airfield, serving as a crucial hub for covering the South Atlantic, complementing Army facilities, and supporting convoy escort and U-boat hunting operations. This base, operational from late 1943, was vital for the Battle of the Atlantic, with U.S. Navy land-based aircraft often credited for destroying German submarines off the Brazilian coast.

Michael was honorably discharged September 14,1945

He returned home to Rye and to Playland. He married Virginia Stonehouse on September 11,1946 in Greenwich, CT. They would soon move to Florida and start a family. In 1950 he was employed as a bellhop at a private hotel.

Michael and family returned to Rye and he and his brother John would open Budge’s Restaurant, 3 Elm Place, Rye in the late 1950’s. In 1970 he was voted first president of the Westchester Restaurant and Tavern Association. He was also a members of the Eastern Westchester Hotel, Restaurant and Liquor Dealers Association.

After a long and interesting career as concessionaire and restaurant owner he returned to Playland. For many years he was the manager of Playland Ice Rink until his retirement.

Michael Joseph “Budge” Wallace died on January 3, 2001, in Thornwood, New York, at the age of 90.