John Joseph Butler

John J. Butler, Jr. Wenatchee, WA With his loving wife, Rose, by his side, Wenatchee, WA resident, John J. Butler Jr., embarked on a new adventure Saturday, May 4, 2013. Seeing what surprises and possibilities lay ahead was a constant theme throughout his entire 70 years, and included everything from beekeeping to winemaking, hang gliding to breadmaking, plus ambulance driving, teaching, stained glass making, phone repair, and more. At various times, he even began training as a Mountaineer and a private pilot, earned a real estate license, became certified as a licensed massage therapist, and came close to becoming a Catholic missionary. Even toward the end of his life while battling cancer, he was always wondering what was going to be the next step, a similar curiosity that arose as a child whenever he saw a moving van in the family's driveway - this meant new, exciting opportunities were sure to be on their way. John was born August 5, 1942, in Chicago to John "Jack" Sr. and Katherine (Noonan) Butler, the oldest of nine. The military family moved many times over the years, including Chicago, Japan, Italy, California and New York, before settling in Virginia. He graduated from Healdsburg High School in 1960, the same year he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a Radio Specialist in the Pacific until 1964. Following the service, he moved to Southern California and met Rose Fusano while both were working for the phone company. They were married in 1969. Their daughter, Diane, was born in 1970, and son, Joe, in 1972. The family lived in Oakhurst, CA until 1978, when they moved to Eagle, CO for a year and then to Bothell, WA, where they remained until 2002. The Butlers then moved to Wenatchee to be closer to family, and they both became active in a number of community organizations, including the Sons of Italy, the Wenatchee Erratics, an area investment club and the Enological Society. He and Rose also volunteered for Mobile Meals and were active members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. John worked in the phone/telecommunications industry most of his life, including several years at General Telephone, Sprint and GCI. He also ran his own businesses, Communications Specialists and Butler Communications. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from University of Washington in 1982, an accomplishment he worked on for years, taking one or two credits here and there while also working multiple jobs. Wenatchee residents were also beginning to know John for his winemaking abilities, and he regularly took home awards from the Chelan County Fair for his Chateau Grenz varietals. In 2012, he and his winemaking partner, Glenn Liner, took home Best of Show plus many other ribbons. He and Glenn even taught a class about winemaking at Wenatchee Valley College. People often suggested he go pro, but he always maintained it would then become a job. He always enjoyed camping with friends and family. He loved sailing, trying new restaurants, cooking new meals, and painting. He was on a longtime quest for the ideal chocolate milkshake 'in a can' that took him across the country. Gardening also was a passion - not necessarily vegetables for eating, but definitely for growing. He disliked Brussels sprouts, rubbery eggs, the sound of people rubbing balloons, and an overreaching government. He and Rose traveled regularly, sometimes to see family, sometimes just to see new sights. In the last 20 years, they visited Tahiti, the Panama Canal, and Italy, plus many trips to California, Nevada and Virginia. He collected tools, Classic Illustrated comics, plus various books and random gadgets from garage sales. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Rose; son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Heather Butler of Post Falls, ID; and daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Dean Priebe of Leavenworth, WA; three grandchildren, Zane and Quinn Priebe and Miles Butler; sisters, Joan Butler Smith and Susie Butler Hawkins; and brothers, Mike Butler, Mark Butler, Jim Butler, David Butler, Terry Butler and Chris Butler; many more brothers- and sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held Monday, May 20, 2013, starting with a Graveside Service at the Wenatchee Cemetery at 12 Noon with Military Honors, followed by a Memorial Mass at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wenatchee. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John's name to Central Washington Hospital Hospice. John's family would like to thank all the wonderful doctors and nurses who cared for him. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

John Joseph Butler

August 5, 1942 - May 4, 2013