Hugh Earl Buchanan

BUCHANAN, Hugh Earl. 1924-2011, age 87, died April 26, 2011. You were never far from a song when Hugh was in the room. Music permeated all he did and was only surpassed by the unbounded love he had for his family. Known as "Song Bird" during his 34 years working at Michigan Bell, Hugh sang the National Anthem at Tiger stadium multiple times and was a feature during the early years of the Freedom Festival, singing with his brother Will before estimated crowds of one million people on both sides of the Detroit River. A graduate of St. Mary's High School in Royal Oak, Hugh was stellar on the basketball floor setting league scoring records and leading his team to the Catholic League Championship. Entering the US Army in 1942, he was assigned to Eisenhower's HQ Company as a Tech 5 in the European campaign and found himself on stage in his off hours in USO clubs in front of many of the many big bands. He married Elizabeth "Betty" Ann Bradley in 1947 upon his return and discharge from service and soon began a family that eventually would include eight children, 38 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. He lived next door to his brother Will for 16 years in Sterling Heights. The dual Buchanan families were a cornerstone in the neighborhood and St. Matthias Parish which they helped establish. Betty Ann succumbed to cancer in 1998. Surviving Hugh is his brother Will Mary Buchanan and children Hugh A. Mary Ellen Buchanan, Kathleen Karl Fulks, Mary Ann Alex Marchwinski, Michael Donna Buchanan, Margaret John Bernia, Carol Stewart, Patrick Leslie Buchanan and James Grace Buchanan. Husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, Hugh graced the lives of all he met with his immediate charm, disarming smile and pure tenor voice. We will miss you Song Bird. Visitation Thursday April 28, 2011 4:00pm-9:00pm and Friday 4:00pm-9:00pm for Family and Friends with a prayer service time pending at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road 3 blks east of Van Dyke Utica. Saturday in state at 11:30 am until time 1:00 pm mass at St. Mary Catholic Church M-25 and Main St Port Sanilac. Burial St. Mary Cemetery, Sanilac. Contributions appreciated to St. Mary Catholic Church, Port Sanilac OR Manresa Jesuit Retreat House, Bloomfield Hills.

Hugh Earl Buchanan

February 15, 1924 - April 26, 2011