George Franklin Butler, Jr

NEWPORT, RI - George F. Buzzy Butler, Jr., 77, of Portsmouth, RI, died Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI.He was the husband of Sandra M. Clarke Butler. Born in Newport, RI on July 29, 1933, he was the son of the late George F. Butler Sr., former Deputy Fire Chief of the Newport Fire Department and the late Mary L. Sullivan Butler.Mr. Butler attended Newport Public Grammar schools and De la Salle Academy where he starred in Football, Basketball and Baseball. In 1953 he was selected on the All State and All New England Basketball Teams and then went on to graduate in 1954. In 1954 Buzzy served in the US Army until 1957 where he attained all 5th Army Basketball and Softball Honors. After returning from the service he went on to Providence College where he graduated in 1961 with a BA Degree in Education and starting teaching at Thompson Junior High School for 27 years before retiring. Buzzy coached basketball, baseball, and football from 1954-1961, at Portsmouth Priory now the Abbey, from 1961-1965 he taught and coached at De la Salle Academy winning two state titles, from 1965-1967 he taught and coached at Tiverton High School and was also the first Athletic Director at Tiverton High School, from 1968-1972 he coached basketball and baseball at Roger Williams University, from 1977-1981 he coached basketball at Salve Regina College now University. He spent many years coaching in Portsmouth and Newport, coached and played for over 20 years in the Newport Sunset League, coached the 1954 Newport Babe Ruth Baseball Team to the State Title and also coached the 1973 Portsmouth Senior Babe Ruth Baseball Team to the State Title. Buzzy worked at Green Valley Country Club for over 20 years. He was also the recreation director for the Town of Portsmouth for over 20 years and the field manager for the Newport Jazz and Folks festivals for over 34 years. Buzzy was a former member of the Portsmouth Recreation Commission, a member of the Green Valley Country, Club, the Vasco da Gama Holy Ghost Society the Newport Sports Hall of Fame, the AARP local and state the Rhode Island Retired Teacher Association, the Disabled American Veterans Commanders Club, a former member of the Rhode Island Golf Association, a charter member of the Newport Athletic Hall of Fame and a past member of the Portsmouth School Committee.Besides his wife of 21 years, he is survived by his children, Jay P. Butler and his wife Ruth Lynn of Middletown, RI, Peter M. Butler of Oakdale, CT, Sean T. Butler of Florida, Lori B. DeMarisco and her husband Joe of Stamford, CT, Mary E. Souza and her husband Ken of Middletown, RI and Katie G. Butler of Florida, his step daughter, Sandra OConnor and her husband Chris of Newport, RI, his step sons Paul Clarke of Middletown, RI and David Clarke and his companion of Mystic. CT, his grandchildren, Cassidy Silvia, Ryan Butler, Catherine Butler, Justine Butler, Gianna Butler, Eric Souza and his great granddaughter Arianna Silvia. He was the brother of the late Neil G. Butler. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, February 13, 2011, from 4-7 in the Connors funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI. His funeral will be held on Monday, February 14, 2011, at 9:00 am from the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Disabled Americans Veterans Fund, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.