Donald B. Butler

Donald Butler’s Obituary:

Donald B. Butler, 89 of Calverton and formally, Port Jefferson Station, passed away on December 15 surrounded by his family.

Donald was born on December 28, 1932 to Irene and William Butler in St. Albans, N.Y. He was the brother of the late, William “Billy” and the late, Katherine Walters. Donald enlisted in the United States Army in 1953 where he earned the Korea Service Medal, United Nations Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

After serving in the Army, Donald met his wife Marie. They were married in 1955 and had three children: Donald, Nancy and Valerie. He started working for the New York Department of Sanitation before beginning his 26-year long career as a conductor with the Long Island Railroad. In 1982, Donald and Marie welcomed their first granddaughter, Erin Kathleen, daughter of Donald and the late, Susan Butler. They welcomed their second granddaughter, Meredith, daughter of Nancy and Charles Clavin in 1989.

Throughout his life, Donald enjoyed many hobbies including restoring cars, drawing cartoons, painting, woodworking, boating, playing/watching sports and caring for his pets. He received great joy from tinkering and fixing things around the home. Donald was always eager to share the skills he acquired with his children and granddaughters to help prepare them for the future.

In 2005, Donald moved out to Calverton Meadows, where he quickly became the unofficial mayor. He made many friends and celebrated birthdays with fellow residents. One of his favorite things to do was ride his scooter around the complex; looking for discarded treasures he could restore or repurpose and giving treats to his neighbors who were out walking their dogs.

Donald will be greatly missed by his three children, Donald (widow of Susan), Nancy (husband- Charles), Valerie (husband-Matthew), and two granddaughters, Erin (fiancé Joseph), and Meredith (husband-James).

          Visitation will take place on Wednesday, December 21 at Alexander-Rothwell Funeral Home in Wading River from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The funeral mass will be held on Thursday, December 22 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church in Wading River, followed by the interment at Calverton National Cemetery.

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