John Butterworth

WALLINGFORD, CONN. - John (Jack) Butterworth Jr. departed this life on July 7, 2015. Jack, born in Lancaster, PA to John and Abbie Butterworth, grew up in Nutley, NJ. He was part of the Greatest Generation, and had one year in college before enlisting in the Naval Reserve. He became a Naval Aviator (Airship), and patrolled for U-Boats between Key West and South America. He later transferred to the Pacific theatre, where he was an engineer aboard an LST, and participated in MacArthur's landing at Leyte Gulf. He married his life-long companion, Lee Whitney, in 1944, and finished his education in Mechanical Engineering at the University of West Virginia. Jack worked in research and production as an engineer at several companies, retiring in 1972. Retiring as a commercial real estate broker, in 1992 he and Lee moved to Sun City West, AZ, where they lived until her death in 2004. He returned to Connecticut in 2009, where he lived at Masonicare in Wallingford until his death. Jack was a third generation Mason, becoming initiated in 1953, in Nutley. He was Past Master of Sun City West, AZ Meridian Lodge #78 and, at his death, was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Wallingford. Jack and Lee had 4 daughters, Carol (TR Proven) of Broad Run, VA, Catherine, of Windsor, CT, Judith (Richard Kremer) of Avon, CT, and Susan (Gary McLain) of San Jose, CA. His grandchildren include John McCune (Jennifer), and children Max, Sam and Lily; Andrew McCune; Catherine McCune; Richard Kremer, Jr. (Jessica) and children Josef and Abby; David Kremer; Holly Connors (Corey) and children Riley and Caitlin; and Courtney McLain and children Kyli, Hanna and Ryanne; one sister, Betty Ann Toms of Palm Desert, CA; and seven nephews. Jack and Lee had a wide circle of friends, and enjoyed parties, bridge and travel, especially to the Caribbean. Their ashes will be distributed at a later date off the island of Barbados, where they spent many wonderful vacations. A memorial service will be held on August 15, at the Masonic Village chapel in Wallingford. In lieu of flowers, all donations may be made to Masonic Charity Foundation of CT, Inc. PO Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492, or the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111.