Butler, Martin Edward

MIARTIN BUTLER CITY COUNCILMAN RYE, NEW YORK, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1974

A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated this morning at the Church of the Resurrection for former City Councilman, Martin Edward Butler, 41, who died Monday at United Hospital, where he was a patient since June 2. Internment was in St. Mary's Cemetery.

The Rev. James McGuire, a close friend of the Butler family, was the celebrant of the Mass.

Pallbearers were Lincoln Burgess, Thomas Keane, Walter Uhle, William Fitzgerald, Paul Germond, Gene Kelley and Vincent King.

Flags throughout the city have been flown at half-mast since Mr. Butler's death. He was a prominent Rye businessman and a member of a well-known Rye family.

In tribute to Mr. Butler, Mayor John Carey said, "The City of Rye has lost one of its most outstanding public servants and one of its finest people. The warm friendship I was privileged to enjoy for many years with Marty Butler was never the slightest bit affected by our being, at times, on opposite sides. Leaders like Marty, who treat their opponents with respect, are essential to the proper functioning of the American political system. I will never forget how he could grin in the face of adversity. This was a gallant man, who richly deserves to be called by one of his own favorite tributes —'a beautiful person' "

Thomas Keane, chairman of the County Board of Legislators and partner with Mr. Butler's brother, Thomas in the Rye law firm, Keane and Butler said, "He was a fellow we all loved and respected. He would draw you into everything with his incredible enthusiasm and always gave everything 100 percent. He was a ball of fire, a great credit to politics and to the business community."

Mr. Butler was a Republican member of the City Council from 1971-1973. After he was reelected last fall he was forced to resign due to illness.

He was born in New York City, June 24, 1932, son of Mary Kate Moffett Butler of Rye and the late Martin Patrick Butler, who died in I960.

A graduate of Rye High School, Mr. Butler worked his way through lona College, graduating in 1959. He quickly rose from clerk with the Grand Union chain to district supervisor in 1964.

He then became owner and operator of three local food stores, Butler Brothers on Purchase Street and Forest Avenue, and the Rye Village Market.

Republican Council members William Ball and Frederick Hunziker who served with him on the council recalled him as a "tireless worker, always his own man, completely dedicated to the community and to his family."

Mr. Butler served in the Navy during the Korean War from 1951 to 1955. He was a former director of the Rye YMCA, director of the Rye chapter of the Red Cross, community chairman of the United Way, vice president of the Rye of the Little League and Rye Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the board of the Rye Association for the Handicapped, a member of the Rye Youth Council, and was a director of the Rye Babe Ruth League.

A member of the Church of the Resurrection, he was a member of the Church Parish Council, the Resurrection Dad's Club, and taught religious instruction at the church.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Mrs. Karen Torpey Butler of the home address. 55 Hewlett Street, and four children, Suzanne, Julie, Mark and John, all students in Rye schools. He is also survived by three brothers, Thomas A. Butler, attorney of Rye and New York City, also a former city councilman; Kevin Butler, manager of the Rye Village Market; and Jack Butler of the Harrison Butler Brothers stores. A fourth brother, Timothy D., died in 1964. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Henry Brennan of Westport; an aunt, Ann Moffet of Rye; and 16 nieces and nephews.