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Joseph Butwell - Class of 1952

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 21/Aug/2022
71.223.187.140

      Joseph Justin Butwell, 87, of Newburgh, NY passed away August 21, 2022, at Nyack Hospital. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Arlene Reed Butwell, son David Butwell (Gina Glynn) of Newburgh, daughter Sue Ann Brainard (Doug Brainard) of Rochester, daughter Janice Butwell of Nyack, and son Joe Butwell (Andrea Ruckdeschel) of Watertown, CT; grandchildren Andrew (Veronica Brill-Correa), Matthew (Christina Ferrari), Carly (Tim Daring), Sagan, Casey, Ryan, Sydney, and Ezra Jane Butwell, and Jack Glynn; great grandchildren Landon, Lilah, and Julian Daring, Noah Butwell and Jonathan Correa, and Kiera Butwell; sisters Carol Striano and Nan Heter. Joe is predeceased by brothers Paul, Jerome, and John Butwell, and sisters Jeanne Lanspery, MaryEllen Bush, Audrey Davis, and Rosalie Nogay.

Born September 1, 1934 in Newburgh to Paul and Anna Lahey Butwell, Joe attended St. Patrick's School and Newburgh Free Academy. After serving in the US Army in Germany (an experience that gave him many, many stories to tell his children and grandchildren), Joe married high school sweetheart Arlene Reed in Sacred Heart Church on September 22, 1957. He dedicated the next phase of his life to helping Arlene raise their four children, sharing with them a love of the Adirondacks, and of fishing, swimming, skating, and sledding. An avid storyteller, Joe ("Poppy" to his grandkids) eventually engaged his grandchildren with his tales of Newburgh in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. A 30-year career as a manager at IBM in East Fishkill was celebrated upon Joe's retirement in 1993, but he soon began another lengthy commitment as president of the Newburgh Club 60, where he spearheaded many trips for senior citizens to the Jersey shore, dinner theaters, and local casinos. His life-long love of fishing turned into a treasured part-time job at Washington Lake, renting out boats to fishermen, and coaching numerous local children and teens as they learned to fish. Beloved to generations of neighbors on DuPont Avenue, Joe was a familiar sight on his front porch, slowly working through his lottery ticket scratch-offs, and chatting with or waving to all. His devotion to his wife Arlene was the first and the last thing on his mind every day, frequently calling her his beautiful bride. Joe is remembered in our hearts with love. - September 1, 1934 ~ August 21, 2022

Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 24 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Avenue, Newburgh, NY 12550, with a service on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Internment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Route 9W South & Route 94, New Windsor, NY 12553.