February 21, 2013
Kenneth Nye Butler of Cornwall NY, a 40-year Orange County resident, died February 17, 2013, at home in Cornwall, NY, after a courageous twenty-year battle with Parkinson's Disease and other complications. At his side was his wife of fifty-six years, Alma Elaine (Cerra) Butler and his daughter, Maria Lindstrom.
He was a dedicated, hard-working family man, a diligent striver of the American Dream, an athlete, and a New York Giants (baseball and football), Rangers, and Yankees fan.
His was an American--a New Yorker's--life.
Kenny was born on July 24, 1934 in New York City to Ellsworth "Jack" Butler and Ruth (Nye) Butler, the eldest sibling of Joan Goetz and Maureen Villone.
He is survived by Alma Elaine (Cerra) Butler of Cornwall; Wayne Butler, wife, Sara, and children: Alexis and Ian of Austin, TX; Maria Lindstrom and her children: Arielle and Noah of Cornwall-on-Hudson; sister, Joan Goetz and husband, Walter of Wayne, NJ and their children: Daniel Goetz, his wife, Laura, and children: Jennifer, Matthew, and Jake of Wayne, NJ and Thomas Goetz of North Carolina; sister-in-law, Kathy Cerra and spouse, Kathy Hammells of Yonkers; and brother-in-law, George Villone and son, Giorgio of West Islip, NY. He was predeceased by his son, Gregory Scott Butler and sister, Maureen Butler Villone.
Kenny was raised in Jackson Heights and summers spent on Long Beach sparked his life-long love of the sea. As a young athlete, he excelled at baseball, swimming and roller hockey. He graduated Newtown High School in 1953 and enrolled in Hunter College to pursue a bachelor's degree in business. He and classmate Alma Elaine Cerra, his Rose of Spanish Harlem, launched a relationship that would prevail for the rest of his life. In 1954 he took a leave from his studies to serve in the U.S. Army as a communications specialist in Frankfurt, Germany. On August 26, 1956, days after his return from overseas, he and Alma married at Rose of Lima Church in Manhattan. They began their lives together in Jackson Heights while Kenny worked nights at the US Post Office and pursued his education during the day. On July 4, 1957 Wayne was born; Gregory was then born on September 30, 1959. Upon completing his bachelors in 1960, Kenny secured a position on Wall Street. Within a few years, he rose to the executive position of Secretary/Treasurer.
In November 1962, Kenny and Alma became suburban pioneers when they bought their first home in Worley Heights. During these early years of building a family and career, Kenny began graduate studies at Bernard Baruch College, where over several years of night classes and working full-time, he earned his MBA in 1967. On March 2, 1964, his darling daughter, Maria was born. He travelled extensively through Europe and South America for work but continued an active social and family life, playing highly competitive fast-pitch softball, ice hockey, bowling, and coaching youth sports. He retired as the "Silver Fox" from the 5:42ers, a team comprised of his commuter train buddies. He and Alma enjoyed several Caribbean cruises, European tours, and the annual summer retreat to Seaside Heights. After the children settled into adulthood, Kenny and Alma semi-retired to Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. In 1998, they moved to Cornwall when grandchildren began to arrive. As a devoted granddaddy, Kenny enjoyed attending school recitals and plays, soccer games, and youth bowling tournaments. Despite his battle with Parkinson's, Kenny continued an active life with his characteristic passion, taking up golf and insisting on walking the hilly Central Valley Golf Club, pursuing his life-long interest in sharing his vocal gifts with the Wild Idle Players, and bowling competitively up to his final months.
Kenny Butler will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as a passionately energetic, loyal, and dedicated family man, New Yorker, and American.
Visitation will be on Friday, February 22nd, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Quigley Bros. Funeral Home, 337 Hudson St., Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 12520. Burial will follow at Orange County Veteran's Cemetery, Goshen, NY on Saturday, February 23rd.
Arrangements are by Kevin Quigley of Quigley Bros. Funeral Home; to send condolences, or for directions to the funeral home, please go to: www.quigleybros.com
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