Joseph A. Butler

ATHOL - Joseph A. Butler, 73, of 52 Winthrop St., Athol, died Sunday, June 21, 2009 at home surrounded by his family, after an illness. He was born in Gardner on June 4, 1936, the son of the late John H. and the late Flora (Caouette) Butler. Mr. Butler grew up in Athol and attended local schools, graduating from Athol High School with the class of 1955. He was the second generation owner and operator of the Butler's Decorating Center in Athol until his retirement in 2007. He was a member of Our Lady Immaculate Church, the Athol-Orange Lodge of Elks, Athol American Legion Post No. 102, and the Franco-American Naturalization Club of Athol. He was very active in local politics, serving as a member of the Finance Committee for eight years, and as Selectman of the Town of Athol for thirteen years. He loved spending time with his family and his seven grandchildren. He especially enjoyed vacationing on the coast of Maine with his wife Claire and their family. He leaves his wife of 52 years, Claire J. (Anderson) Butler; one son, Michael J. Butler of Athol; two daughters, Carol A. Forand, Susan E. King and her husband Roger, all of Athol; one brother, John Butler of Orange; three sisters, Rita Armienti and her husband Joseph of Florida, Bernadette Litchfield and her husband Robert of Athol, Theresa Gallagher of Athol, seven grandchildren, Michael P. Butler of Lowell, Jason W. Butler of Athol, Sarah J. Butler of Athol, Maxine R. Butler of Rhode Island, Paul Forand of Athol, Henry King of Athol, Hannah King of Boston; also many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, John S. Butler, on November 25, 2002, and by his brother, William H. Butler, on July 19, 2000. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St., Athol. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, June 23, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fiske Funeral Home, 1356 Main St., Athol. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society's New England Division Office, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or to the Gardner Visiting Nursing Association, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440. $(document).ready(function(){ });