James J. Butler, 50, unexpectedly entered into eternal rest on February 7, 2016, at Griffin Hospital, after falling ill at his home when returning from a fire call.
Mr. Butler was born in New Haven on June 12, 1965, beloved son of James R. Butler of Derby and the late Josephine DiDonato Butler.
A lifelong resident of the Derby community, he was currently serving as the Deputy Fire Marshall for the City of Derby Fire Marshall’s Office.
He was the former chief of the Derby Fire Department and a thirty year member of the Paugassett Hook & Ladder Co. #4 in Derby where he was chief driver and Past Captain.
Jim was an instructor and member of the Valley Fire Chief’s Assoc., CT State Firemen’s Irregular Assoc., CT State Fire Marshall’s Assoc. and New Haven County Fire Emergency Plan. He was a coach for many years for Derby Pop Warner Football and the Derby Rec. basketball and softball leagues.
He was also a former Scout Master for National Jamboree A‑230 in 2013 and a volunteer at the Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation in Goshen.
In addition to his father, he leaves to cherish his memory, a son, James A. Butler of Derby, daughters, Sarah Butler and her fiancé Matthew Piscatelli of NY and Julianna Butler of Derby, sisters, Barbara S. Butler (RoseMarie) of Otisville, NY and Janice M. Butler of Newtown and his many brother and sister firefighters.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday February 11, 2016, from 3 – 8 pm in the chapel of the SPINELLI-RICCIUTI/BEDNAR-OSIECKI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia.
On Friday, relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral at 10:00 am (PLEASE MEET DIRECTLY) at Holy Rosary Church, 10 Father Salemi Drive in Ansonia for a Mass of Christian Burial.
Interment with firefighter honors will take place in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery in Derby.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Butler Children Scholarship Fund, C/O Wells Fargo Advisors, Attention: John Hooker, 93 Lake Avenue Extension, Danbury, CT 06810.
To send an act of sympathy, please visit www.spinelliricciutifh.com.
