"This guy used to hit me in the head with his PC class ring. I was in the 9th grade at De La Salle. He was a miserable prick!"
In loving memory of
George Franklin Butler, Jr
July 29, 1933 - February 8, 2011
NEWPORT, RI - George F. Buzzy Butler, Jr., 77, of Portsmouth, RI, died Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI.He was the husband of Sandra M. Clarke Butler. Born in Newport, RI on July 29, 1933, he was the son of the late George F. Butler Sr., former Deputy Fire Chief of the Newport Fire Department and the late Mary L. Sullivan Butler.Mr. Butler attended Newport Public Grammar schools and De la Salle Academy where he starred in Football, Basketball and Baseball. In 1953 he was selected on the All State and All New England Basketball Teams and then went on to graduate in 1954. In 1954 Buzzy served in the US Army until 1957 where he attained all 5th Army Basketball and Softball Honors. After returning from the service he went on to Providence College where he graduated in 1961 with a BA Degree in Education and starting teaching at Thompson Junior High School for 27 years before retiring. Buzzy coached basketball, baseball, and football from 1954-1961, at Portsmouth Priory now the Abbey, from 1961-1965 he taught and coached at De la Salle Academy winning two state titles, from 1965-1967 he taught and coached at Tiverton High School and was also the first Athletic Director at Tiverton High School, from 1968-1972 he coached basketball and baseball at Roger Williams University, from 1977-1981 he coached basketball at Salve Regina College now University. He spent many years coaching in Portsmouth and Newport, coached and played for over 20 years in the Newport Sunset League, coached the 1954 Newport Babe Ruth Baseball Team to the State Title and also coached the 1973 Portsmouth Senior Babe Ruth Baseball Team to the State Title. Buzzy worked at Green Valley Country Club for over 20 years. He was also the recreation director for the Town of Portsmouth for over 20 years and the field manager for the Newport Jazz and Folks festivals for over 34 years. Buzzy was a former member of the Portsmouth Recreation Commission, a member of the Green Valley Country, Club, the Vasco da Gama Holy Ghost Society the Newport Sports Hall of Fame, the AARP local and state the Rhode Island Retired Teacher Association, the Disabled American Veterans Commanders Club, a former member of the Rhode Island Golf Association, a charter member of the Newport Athletic Hall of Fame and a past member of the Portsmouth School Committee.Besides his wife of 21 years, he is survived by his children, Jay P. Butler and his wife Ruth Lynn of Middletown, RI, Peter M. Butler of Oakdale, CT, Sean T. Butler of Florida, Lori B. DeMarisco and her husband Joe of Stamford, CT, Mary E. Souza and her husband Ken of Middletown, RI and Katie G. Butler of Florida, his step daughter, Sandra OConnor and her husband Chris of Newport, RI, his step sons Paul Clarke of Middletown, RI and David Clarke and his companion of Mystic. CT, his grandchildren, Cassidy Silvia, Ryan Butler, Catherine Butler, Justine Butler, Gianna Butler, Eric Souza and his great granddaughter Arianna Silvia. He was the brother of the late Neil G. Butler. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, February 13, 2011, from 4-7 in the Connors funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI. His funeral will be held on Monday, February 14, 2011, at 9:00 am from the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Disabled Americans Veterans Fund, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.
Tributes
"Sandy My husband Rod Bowley who past away 1/19/11 always spoke so highly of Buzzy that I just had to send my sympathy to you and your family. I know how it feels all too well on the loss of a loved one. Take care."
"Sorry about your loss- "Buzzy" was a friend of my father and a mentor of mine when I was growing up. He was a great guy and will be missed by all that came in contact with him."
"Very sorry to hear today of the passing of Buzzy.He was a friend and a mentor.We taught together at De La Salle and he gave me my first coaching job as his assistant and freshman basketball coach.Also got me a job at the Jazz Festival.Didn't get a chance to see him much in recent years but thought of him often.Sorry I missed the funeral.He will be missed"
"Jay, sorry to hear the news about your Dad. I was out of the loop and just recently heard, but we will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Your Dad was a great sportsman and will be missed at many places on many levels. Be well."
"Dear Sandy, Jay, Mary, and all the Butler family, I was deeply saddened to hear of Buzzy's passing. He was a dear friend and I will miss him. I have such great memories of my times spent with him at TJHS, Green Valley, and the library located at the top of Memorial Boulevard. I wish I could see the look on St Peter's face when he shows up on the 1st tee in Heavenly Augusta with the Niblick!! Please know you have been in my thoughts and prayers."
"cousin Buzzys fathers and my father were brothers.The last time we meet at my restaurant Charlies Goodegg several years ago. are prayers are with you and your family very sorry"
"Sandy, Please accept our sincerest condolences on Buzzy's passing. He was a great friend to me during our years together at Thompson. Buzzy was an "original" and will be missed by all who have been blessed by knowing him."
"Mary, I am so sorry for your loss."
"Sandy, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Bussy was a great man and will be missed. He took care of me at Green Vally. Peter C.Edes Ret R.I. State Police"
"Sandy, I am so sorry to hear abut Buzzy's passing. You and your family and in my thougths and prays."
"I was sorry to hear of Buzzy's passing. I had known Buzzy from the late 1940's when he lived on Warner Street and I on Pleasant Street. My sympathies to all the family."
"sandy and jay just want to say what a great tribute to buzzy today at the wake and I know that he would be humbley proud of the many who paided their respect to a trully unique and loved man. he was a friend to so many may gos bless you and your family with the comfort of knowing how great a husband and father he was your friend always john dias"
"To the Butler Family, I was sorry to hear of Buzzy's passing. He was a great Coach with a great knowledge of the game of baseball."
"Sandy & The Entire Butler Family We offer our sincere condolences for the loss on Buzzy. He was a good friend and a great role model. He made Portsmouth a better community to live in. He was always so proud of all of his family and their aconplishments. He will be missed but not forgotten. Sorry we could not attend but we are away at this time. Joe & Jean"
"Dear Sandy, Mary and family, Please accept my sincere sympathy on the death of your husband and father. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Pat Burns"
"Kadie: Freddie, Cindy, Shane and Mackenzie are with you always. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Be strong and together we will get thru it. I luv you."
"Sandy I so sorry and hope the pray I say every night finds its way to you to help comfort you...I love you"
"Dear Sandra & Family, Cathy and I express to you and all your family our sorrow in learning of the passing of Buzzy. He was a friend, teammate, teacher, as well as coach to many of Aquidneck Island's athletes and students. I will miss seeing him at Green Valley Golf Club. We are also sorry that we will be unable to attend the services for Buzzy as we are currently in Florida."
"To All Friends and Family Grieving: The Butler kids will remember me as "Slick," who, with Pat Lapointe, staffed the Portsmouth Middle School summer playground camps for four years of your childhood. Buzzy hired us for that awesome job and later, recommended me to coach basketall at Salve Regina, a move that has shaped and blessed my life ever since. Your dad was one of a kind - an "old school" gentleman who loved kids especially the six of you so much that he devoted his life to healthy recreation opportunities for all. I am so grateful to have known Buzzie's mentoring friendship and, of course, feel broken-hearted with everyone now left to mourn his passing. God bless and console you all during this time,"
"My thoughts are with you and the family and how painful it is to lose your loved one. Please accept my deepest sympathy. May God's love and comfort be with you and the family. “For this is the will of my Father, That everyone that beholds the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life, and I will resurrect him at the last day.” John 6:40 "
"Sandy and Family: My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Buzzy was a great Father in law and Grandfather to Ryan. May you always remember the good times. Love, Susan Butler-Wolfla"
"Sandy, Liz and I are extremely sorry about your loss. Buzzy was a great guy. Our prayers are with you and family. bob"
"Buzzy and grew up together and he was a good friend who I saw every year I got back to Newport. Left Newport in1964. Worked the frist Jazz festival with him at the Casino in 1954 and got the job through him. Knew his whole family and worked at Newport Beach with his dad who was a lifeguard there in addition to his firedepartment duties. Sorry I won't be able to get to the funeral as I have a Doctor's appoinment on the 14th and I can't miss it unfortunately. So sorry for your sadness at this time and will say a prayer for the whole family. Dave"
"Dear Sandra and family, Please accept my heartfelt sorrow on Buddy's passing. I enjoyed many an early morning coffee with him out at Green Valley during my summer visits. I will surely miss him this year. Also, please know that you and the family are in my prayers during this very sad time. -Sonny Behan-"
"Hi uncle Buzzy its your nephew Michael Cunningham here you will greatly be missed by me and the rest of our family. You were such a great guy to be around especially when you were an football official that did the North Kingstown High School Varsity football game at Rogers High School back a long time ago. I am sorry to hear of your passing uncle Buzzy I wish you were still around though because when we saw and talked with one another at the game we had some good laughs. I will really miss you so much buddy. I will see you again sometime when I come up there to Heaven but it won't be for a long time though buddy. I live out here in Eugene, Oregon with my dad however I miss it back in Rhode Island. You will be sincerely missed by everyone in our family especially me too buddy. Rest in peace I will see you again when I come home up there to Heaven. Bye. Sincerely your nephew, Michael Cunningham"
"To the Butler Family, It was a honor and priviledge to know a man like Buzzy Butler. He used to call me out on strikes in Little League and coach me at the same time asking me why didn't I swing the bat. I bought a purple De Lasalle jersey and wore it to football practice hoping one day I would be as good as Mr. Butler. A great man I will never forget. Our condolences from Alaska."
"Sandra: I am so sorry to hear about Buzzy. I am thinking of you and you are in my prayers. Rose Armstrong"
"My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time - I am sure your loss is deep and powerful. I have such fond memories growing up with the sports environment that Buzzy helped to create, nurture, and grow. The town and the region will miss his love of the kids and the sports of this community."
"Jay and family: What an accomplished man Mr. Butler was, not only in sports, but in giving back his knowledge to kids across the state. I have so many fond memories of being around him in our youth. Please know that we are thinking of you and of him. Please call if there is anything that we can do. Sincerely, Skip"
"CONDOLENCES TO SANDY AND ALL THE BUTLER FAMILY FROM THE MURPHYS OF FIFTH WARD SQUARE. WE SHARE A HERITAGE OF DLS AND ALSO HAVE A SULLIVAN CONNECTION. IF I ATTAIN HEAVEN, I'LL BE HAPPY TO SEE GEORGE AGAIN. MAY GOD HOLD YOU ALL IN THE HALLOW OF HIS HAND."
"Dearest Jay, We are so sorry for your loss. Your father was such an important part of your life. He knew you loved him and was there at the end. That is the best gift a child can give a parent. God Bless."
"Dear Sandy and family; Spent many good years with Buzzy. He was a good man and will be missed. Always there with a nice greeting."
"Sandra, we are truly sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your and your family during this very difficult time."
"We are in Florida and cannot make the funeral. However, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Gert & Gerry Patenaude"
"To my hero.... Love you always, Your son, Jay"
"Sandy and Family, We have lost a very dear friend. Lenny is heartbroken and sends his deepest sympathy to you, as do I. We are here for you now and always. Much love, Lenny and Chris"
"Jay our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. What an impressive man your Dad was according to what I just read about him. Our deepest sympathies Jeff and Karen"