Obituary of John A. Butler

John A. Butler, 88, of Lawrenceville, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Monday, February 24, 2014. Born in Trenton on August 19, 1925, he resided in Lawrenceville for 68 years. John graduated from Trenton Catholic Boys High School, Class of 1943. He was a Veteran of WWII and served with the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and was stationed at St. Albans Naval Hospital where he took care of wounded Marines from the Pacific Theatre. He later assisted on the Hospital Ship, USS Repose. John graduated from Rider College earning a BSC in Business Administration and a MA in Education, all in evening division. He was employed at Trenton Jr. College as Assistant Business Manager and later with the State of NJ Dept. of Education and retired in 1987 from the NJ Dept. of Human Services. John was a parishioner at St. Ann’s for 68 years, a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 7000, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Bishop Griffin ASM # 655 and a life member of the color corps., American Legion Post 414, DAV Chapter 41 life member, Rider College Alumni, life member of the Trenton Musicians Local # 62, a member of NEA, NJEA and NJREA. Predeceased by his parents George and Catherine McGurk Butler, his wife Mary Connell Butler; he is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Janet and Larry Gresh; 2 grandsons Kevin and Stephen Gresh; his sister and brother-in-law Patricia Connell Shelmet and Walter Shelmet; his sister-in-law Marion Connell; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will begin for John on Saturday, beginning at 9:15AM at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10AM at The Church of St. Ann, 1253 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville. Calling hours will be held from 4-6PM on Friday at the funeral home. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hamilton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Ann’s Faith Development Center Fund 1253 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.