Stephen Roy Butler

He was born January 17, 1941 in Delhi, the son of the late Howard Roy and Esther Mabel (Shaw) Butler.

Stephen proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1960 to 1965. While in the Navy he became a medical corpsman and was trained as a respiratory therapist. He served at several posts including St. Albans VA Medical Center in New York City. Following his honorable discharge, Stephen worked at Albany Medical Center and was instrumental in setting up a school for the training of the use of respiratory equipment. Stephen then moved his family to Buffalo and began working at Green and Kellogg where he traveled throughout New York State introducing new respiratory equipment to hospitals and servicing the equipment. After several years in Buffalo, he and his family returned to Otego. He then began his 33 year career at Amphenol as a CNC Operator and retired in 2008.

On August 20, 2005, Stephen married Mary Gillingham Johnson in Otego.

He was an avid reader, sometimes reading three books a week. But he also had a love for the outdoors - especially hunting. He also loved to travel. He was very fortunate to get to travel to several countries visiting family with Mary. But his greatest joy was spending time with his family especially his grandchildren.

Stephen was a past Commander and member of the Oneonta American Legion Post 259, the Otego Historical Society, The Upper Susquehanna Archeological Society of Otego, the Old Boys Club, the Ham Radio Club and was a former member of the Otego Fire Department. He was also President of the Board of Trustees for the Harris Memorial Library in Otego and Chairman of the Town of Otego Planning Board.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Mary Johnson-Butler of Otego; six children, Vernon and Julie Butler of Thompson, CT, Lori and Al Beckemeyer of Oneonta, Brian Butler of Norfolk, MA, Christina and Michael Simonds of Otego, Sheri-Nouane and Peter Duncan-Jones of Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Michael and Tiphani Johnson of San Francisco, CA; 12 grandchildren, Emily, Jeremiah, Ben, Andrew, Brian, Chelsea, Madison, Alicia, Michael, Jr, Jessica (Dylan), Thomas and Michael Schipani; three brothers, Howard, Albert and Dave Butler; one sister, Mary Hoffmans; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a sister-in-law, Gail Butler.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, October 23, 2015 in the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta from 1:00 to 3:00pm. A Service to Celebrate the Life of Stephen will immediately follow at 3:00pm with the Reverend Brandilynne Craver, Pastor of the Otego United Methodist Church, officiating. Memorial donations in Stephen’s memory may be made to either the Otego Emergency Squad, River Street, Otego, New York 13825 or to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.

To light a candle or send an online condolence please visit www.bookhoutufuneralhome.com

Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.