Butler, Martin Edward

Description

Martin Edward Butler was born on 6-26-1932 and lived at 61 Purchase Street. He was a Rye High School graduate, class of 1950. During the Korean War, Martin served in the U.S. Navy.

Martin Edward Butler enlistment date was 2-27-1951 and he served until discharged on 2-26-1955.
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MIARTIN BUTLER CITY COUNCILMAN RYE, NEW YORK, THURSDAY,
JUNE 27, 1974

A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated this morning at
the Church of the Resurrection for former City Councilman, Martin Edward
Butler, 41, who died Monday at United Hospital, where he was a patient since
June 2. Internment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

The Rev. James McGuire, a close friend of the Butler family,
was the celebrant of the Mass.

Pallbearers were Lincoln Burgess, Thomas Keane, Walter Uhle,
William Fitzgerald, Paul Germond, Gene Kelley and Vincent King.

Flags throughout the city have been flown at half-mast since
Mr. Butler’s death. He was a prominent Rye businessman and a member of a
well-known Rye family.

In tribute to Mr. Butler, Mayor John Carey said, “The
City of Rye has lost one of its most outstanding public servants and one of its
finest people. The warm friendship I was privileged to enjoy for many years
with Marty Butler was never the slightest bit affected by our being, at times,
on opposite sides. Leaders like Marty, who treat their opponents with respect,
are essential to the proper functioning of the American political system. I
will never forget how he could grin in the face of adversity. This was a
gallant man, who richly deserves to be called by one of his own favorite tributes
—’a beautiful person’ ”

Thomas Keane, chairman of the County Board of Legislators
and partner with Mr. Butler’s brother, Thomas in the Rye law firm, Keane and
Butler said, “He was a fellow we all loved and respected. He would draw
you into everything with his incredible enthusiasm and always gave everything
100 percent. He was a ball of fire, a great credit to politics and to the
business community.”

Mr. Butler was a Republican member of the City Council from 1971-1973.
After he was reelected last fall he was forced to resign due to illness.

He was born in New York City, June 24, 1932, son of Mary
Kate Moffett Butler of Rye and the late Martin Patrick Butler, who died in
I960.

A graduate of Rye High School, Mr. Butler worked his way
through lona College, graduating in 1959. He quickly rose from clerk with the
Grand Union chain to district supervisor in 1964.

He then became owner and operator of three local food
stores, Butler Brothers on Purchase Street and Forest Avenue, and the Rye
Village Market.

Republican Council members William Ball and Frederick
Hunziker who served with him on the council recalled him as a “tireless
worker, always his own man, completely dedicated to the community and to his
family.”

Mr. Butler served in the Navy during the Korean War from
1951 to 1955. He was a former director of the Rye YMCA, director of the Rye
chapter of the Red Cross, community chairman of the United Way, vice president
of the Rye of the Little League and Rye Chamber of Commerce. He was also a
member of the board of the Rye Association for the Handicapped, a member of the
Rye Youth Council, and was a director of the Rye Babe Ruth League.

A member of the Church of the Resurrection, he was a member
of the Church Parish Council, the Resurrection Dad’s Club, and taught religious
instruction at the church.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Mrs.
Karen Torpey Butler of the home address. 55 Hewlett Street, and four children,
Suzanne, Julie, Mark and John, all students in Rye schools. He is also survived
by three brothers, Thomas A. Butler,
attorney of Rye and New York City, also a former city councilman; Kevin Butler,
manager of the Rye Village Market; and Jack Butler of the Harrison Butler
Brothers stores. A fourth brother, Timothy D., died in 1964. He is also
survived by one sister, Mrs. Henry Brennan of Westport; an aunt, Ann Moffet of
Rye; and 16 nieces and nephews.

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Name: Martin Butler
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 26 Jun 1932
Death Date: 24 Jun 1974
SSN: 101249662
Enlistment Date 1: 27 Feb 1951
Release Date 1: 26 Feb 1955

A MOST UNUSUAL MAN

Flags are flying half-mast today in Rye and there is much community mourning because Martin E. Butler has passed away, much before his time. He was approaching forty-two years, a young man of great promise and greatly beloved. It is very sad for he had much to give, which he did so willingly in the conduct of his public and family life.

Marty Butler was an irrepressible soul and he was reconciled to death. He knew days before the end came that he was going to die and he did not want his parting to be sorrowful as reflected by most funerals. A deeply religious man, he gave considerable prayerful thought and preparation to the Mass which was attended by hundreds this morning at the Church of the Resurrection.

As he lived he died shedding remembrance that was joy to the many who knew him. He did not want a funeral that was in any sense stilted; he wanted a funeral that radiated his character and his last wishes were carried out to the fullest extent by his loving wife. It was a credit to the Church which he so devoutly attended and more especially a credit to his family which had such respect for his wishes.

We could say much about Marty Butler, the kind of a man he was and the deep loss we feel over his untimely death. The divine mystery of death prevailed and he was taken away, yet in his going there remains a feeling that in the relatively few years he was with us he accomplished much and we are the better for having known him.
Editor- The Rye Chronicle
Thursday, June 27, 1974