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John Butler

John Jeremiah “Jack” Butler of Essex passed away peacefully on Jan. 11, 2024. He was 88 years old. Jack was born June 24, 1935, to Ormande Butler and Blanche (Dancereau) Butler in Meriden.

Mr. Butler grew up in Meriden and had lots of friends there. In high school, he was the class treasurer, a star pitcher on the baseball team, lettered in soccer, and was voted “most versatile” in his senior year. And it was there that he met the love of his life, Teresa Amoroso.

Upon graduation, Mr. Butler went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in business studies from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. He married his high school sweetheart, Teresa Amoroso, in May of 1960 and went into the family business, Butler Paint and Decorating, successfully ushering it into the third generation. Jack and Teresa expanded the business while raising three children.

There are many fond memories of lifelong beach friends and boating adventures in Old Saybrook, where the family enjoyed summers at their cottage in Cornfield Point. Throughout his life, Jack had many passions, such as travel, tennis, sailing, and photography. He especially enjoyed trips to the Caribbean Islands, snorkeling its pristine waters and reefs, and sailing in the Sir Francis Drake Channel. More locally, the family often enjoyed stays on Block Island, Rhode Island. In 1983, Jack relocated his family to Essex. He and Teresa became active members of Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Upon retirement, he joined The Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight and assisting in fundraisers for the church. Jack was blessed with two grandchildren, James and Max, whom he was very proud of and enjoyed a quiet watch from the sidelines as they pursued fun, education and career.

John J. Butler is survived by his three children, John (Dodie) Butler of Dallas, TX, Katherine Butler of Essex, and Elizabeth D’Amico of Quaker Hill; two grandsons, James D’Amico and Max D’Amico; his sister Mary Faith Riley; and brother William Butler of Camden, Maine; sister-in-law Lucy Meoni (Ron); and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 61 years, Teresa Butler; son-in-law, Wayne D’Amico; nephew, Matthew Riley; sisters-in-law, Lena Nowakowski, Millie Zaleski, Mary Stevens, and Rose Nessing; and brothers-in-law, Kao Nessing, Steve Nowakowski, Henry Zaleski, and Anthony Amoroso.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Parish of St. Teresa of Calcutta, 14 Prospect Street, Essex. To share a memory of Jack or send a condolence to his family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home of Centerbrook.