Joseph Joe F. Butler

Mr. Joseph F. Butler, of Copiague, Long Island, New York, died Sunday, September 21, 2014. He was 90 years old. Family and friends will gather at the funeral home on Wednesday, September 24, from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. Martin of Tours R.C. Church in Amityville. Interment will follow at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale. In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances of Mr. Butler to be made to the Copiague Fire Department, and the EMT Squad of the Department. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

The following obituary and eulogy is written by his daughter, Carol....

On September 21, at 11:19 a.m., we lost a great husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, grandfather, uncle and friend named Joseph Butler. Joseph, or Joe Butler, was a humble man who deeply loved his family. He was a man of courage and great faith right up to the last moment. Let me tell you about his life...

Joseph originated in Brooklyn, New York in 1924, when his parents Agnes and John got together. At three years old, his father, John; passed away. He spent his time being raised by his mother who was affectionately known as "AG" or "Nana". His new stepfather James, was nicknamed "Poppy". His family - Nana and Poppy, his two brothers - "Bud" (Walter) and "Willie" (William) and his sisters, Katie and Tootie (Margaret), lived in a small apartment in Brooklyn. The apartment was crowded, but he recalled having fun times...like taking a rubber-band ball and a stick to play baseball out on the streets with his brothers in the alleyway; while teasing his sisters by pulling their hair all the time. Did I mention he was a METS fan and that he was a person of great FAITH?

Later, he found his way to proudly join the Marine Corps. He served in the 3rd Wing Division at the Island of Midway on Paradise Island. Although he says he did not see too much action, Joe recalled being on an aircraft carrier assisting the Navy in landing war planes during World War II. His brothers Wil and Bud had already enlisted in the Army and went on to active duty.

After being discharged from the Marines, he worked at a company named Intertype, where he inspected matts for newspapers. Now the way I understand this, here is where he met his lovely wife, Catherine - the absolute love of his life for 65 years! He said he met her when he caught a glimpse of her doing office work in a building across the street where he was working. They were introduced by a friend, and later went on a double-date together. It was love at first sight. He loved her so much that he would do anything in the world for her. You see, Catherine loves movies, especially Westerns, and he loved her so much, that he went to eight movies with her in one week...four of them in one day! He married her on July 31, 1949.

Later, Joe and Catherine welcomed two children - Stephen and Carol. Ooooh, what a handful that was. Raising two children required a STRONGER faith. But all in all, from train sets to a huge Christmas tree in the living room; there were great times. He made sure Stephen had a huge train set which was so big it had to be set up in the dining room, and it took up half the room. Christmases were filled with toys of all different types, and every Sunday there was church, family visits and fresh loaves of Italian bread.

In the 50's and 60's the family was quite a bit larger than now, with Grandma and Grandpa Tesoro in Brooklyn on 7th Avenue. Catherine and Joe lived with Catherine's mother and father, Josephine and Charles Tesoro; who had one other daughter also named Josephine.

On Sundays, lots of eating spaghetti, chicken cacciatore and sausages took place. That was the Italian side. Then later, the Butler side of the family went to Ag's house for corned beef and cabbage with plenty of potatoes. But the big event was the card games. The HIGH stakes were pennies, and they would play cards for hours and hours on end.

Next, Joseph and Catherine decided to branch out and move to Long Island. Joseph got a new job as a radiation plant worker. He came home telling us tales about how he was experimenting with radiation, radiating everything from pencils to medical tools to see what reaction they would have under a radiations' beam.

Later they bought a bungalow on Elzey Avenue in Elmont, remodeling it with Katie and Artie. They put a pool table downstairs and a pool in the backyard. There were endless parties and barbeques with the Gerbers, the Berkey's, the Minervas, the Horzepa's, the Stabile's, the Attianese's and the Butler/Tesoro clan which continued at their new home on Waldo Street in Copiague. Did I mention that nearly everyone was thrown into the pool? Joseph, after his brothers Will and Bud, his sister Kate and her husband, Artie had passed on; became patriarch of the family and taught most everyone how to swim, like his niece Cathy; or teach some to drive a car, including his wife, Catherine, at the age of 33.

As families began to merge there were many grandchildren such as Tonianne, Tinamarie, Steven, Jr., Michael, Joseph, Summer, Jamie and Frankie. Every Christmas there were gifts both big and small given. At anytime you came to Grandma and Grandpa Butlers house you received plenty of food, drink and coffee; and you may have wound up with gifts like bubbles, baby dolls and boy toys.

The Minerva side of the family recalls meals and desserts that couldn't be beat at Uncle Joe and Aunt Kay's house. As nephew Tom and Fran would say - there were never bad times. There was always joking and laughing while Joseph would always ask after a huge meal - "can't someone get a cup of coffee around here?" There were many trips to Aruba of great times of swimming and basking in the sun with Ann and Bob Minerva, but that's another story.

Joseph and Catherine spent once a year in the great state of Idaho with their grandchildren Summer and Joseph, and their great-grandchildren, Talon and Chiara. They visited western towns, beautiful mountain areas of Yellowstone and Island Park. One time, a big two-thousand pound Bison started to chase him after his thought he could take a picture with it. Another time, he had birds landing on him when he held out his hands.

In another event, did you know Joseph was a radio star? He was featured on KLCE radio, along with me. We were celebrating the success of our Morning Show with a visit from nationally-known celebrity broadcaster Dick Barkley of Pennsylvania, by honoring him with party. Instead, Joe stole the show and received a standing ovation from Idaho listeners for twenty minutes. He was a funny man.

In another demonstration of Joe's personality, there was never a Christmas where they weren't calling long distance as the kids were opening their presents from them, just so they could hear the sound of the kids voices as they opened them. Then, they would leave their house to visit family members in New York making sure they had a chance to see them.

There were Christenings, Baptisms to attend in New York, and Weddings. All of which they tried to attend as their health permitted. As he struggled with his health, Joe remained strong. He was concerned over his sister, Tootie, during her strife with Breast Cancer; calling her every night to make sure she was okay. He admired her son, Bobby, for taking such good care of her. In fact, he was proud of everyone in his clan. Nieces and nephews: Barbara, Tom, Patty, Maureen and Bobby. He always wanted everyone to do well in their lives and accepted them for who they were. And did you know, Joseph said prayers every night for each and every one of his family members. He was especially happy to see his great-grandchildren, Nicolette, Talon, Chiara and the recent love his life, little Maddy.

As far as friends go, there was long, long list. Hank and Celia (from childhood); Tony and Rose; Virginia and Tony; and Caroline. Joseph and Catherine were active at the Senior Centers of Tanner Park, the Rainbow Center in Lindenhurst, and the Copiague Library. They loved to play cards with their dear friends Tony, Mary, Bob and Paula almost every week (as of four months ago), and see everyone like Jo Anne, Mary, Honey, Sal and Jim.

In the last year of his life he was hospitalized many times but never gave up his faith. In fact, he had been ill for over twenty-five years (though he never tried to show it). Earlier this year, at one point, since he was on constant oxygen for two years, he claimed he prayed to Bishop Sheen and asked him to give him a reprieve from the oxygen tank so that he could be with his lovely wife, Catherine, and maintain his dignity. He stated that Bishop Sheen granted him that wish and suddenly after prayer he could breath without it....using the oxygen only at night.

He proved his testimony that miracles can happen if you believe in them. I told Joseph when he was nearing his end how everyone cared, and wanted to see him at peace. I told of of a place where the birds can stand still in the sky, but if he wanted the birds to sore and fly in the sky, his wish would come true because he would be with God. I told him he would feel the entire love of the universe and that he would see his loved ones and past friends. So I say to you, be happy for Joseph. Honor his memory. He was a faithful Irishman, a good guy, and a great mentor. He is stil watching over us with the Angels above, and he wants us to be happy for him; and to help Catherine and all his family members to cope with his loss.

I know I will miss him deeply...my best friend, my mentor, my great father. We love you!