Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Joseph Thomas (Tom) Butler, Jr died peacefully on March 19, 2019. Tom fought a hard fight after treatment for cancer in 2017. He was born January 24, 1938, in White Castle, Louisiana, and lived in New Roads, Louisiana, in his childhood and youth.
Tom attended Louisiana State University where he received bachelor's and master's degrees. He then attended Southeastern Louisiana University and received another master's degree.
In 1969, Tom moved with his wife and three children to Thibodaux, Louisiana, to accept a position in the library at Nicholls State University, where he worked for 34 years. He was Associate Director when he retired from the Ellender Memorial Library.
Tom is survived by his wife of 58 years, June Barrosse Butler, originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, son Patrick and wife, Marlet, son Timothy and wife, Cindy, daughter Alison Butler Costanzo and fiancé, Frank DiVincenti, and six grandchildren, Joey Butler, Bryan Costanzo, Ashlynn Butler, Andrew Costanzo, William Costanzo, and Joshua Butler. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Thomas Butler, Sr and Laura Janis Butler.
Tom's funeral service celebrating his life will be on Saturday, April 6, at 2PM, with visitation beginning at 1PM, at St John's Episcopal Church, 718 Jackson St, Thibodaux LA 70301. A reception in the church hall will follow the service.
The loves of Tom's life in addition to his family were gardening, fishing, and a small wooden boat museum, The Center For Traditional Louisiana Boat Building, established in the 1970s by Tom and John Rochelle, first at Nicholls State University and later in its own building in Lockport, Louisiana, on 202 Main Street. Tom served as director of the Center until very recently.
In lieu of flowers, tax-deductable donations may be sent to Friends for Traditional LA Boat Building, 202 Main Street, Lockport LA 70374.
I am so very sorry, June, for your great loss. May beautiful memories and the love of God comfort you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Russ. I will miss Tom terribly. The last three months and especially the last three weeks were painful and difficult for Tom. It was easier to let him go because I would not have wanted him to suffer any longer.
DeleteI'm very grateful our for 58 years together.
Bless you, dear.
DeleteI'm very sorry to hear of your loss and your pain. I pray that you and your family and friends are comforted.
ReplyDeleteThank you, TC. I can't say, "It's not right!", or "It's not fair!", because we all have to die sometime. We had 58 years together, more than many couples have. I'm sorry Tom's last weeks on earth were so very painful and difficult, but he's at peace now.
DeleteI am sorry for your loss. May his memory be a blessing.
ReplyDeleteMy apologies; I thought I had added my name.
DeleteKaffyr
Kaffyr, thank you. Tom's memory is a blessing. There are many more good memories than bad memories, and I'm grateful.
DeleteSo sorry for your loss. You were definitely blessed to have so many years together.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mellie. We were indeed blessed.
ReplyDeleteJune, I envy your 58 years with Tom. I don't envy your loss. I mourn with you for it. Love, Sharon
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sharon. Your love and concern are a great comfort. Love to you.
DeleteWe lose the ones we love, but I have learned after loss that love lasts forever. My deepest sympathies to you and your family, June.
ReplyDeleteThank you, robin andrea. I miss Tom, but I know that because I love him he lives in my hearts always. Give Roger a hug for me. Much love.
DeleteI didn't know your husband, more's the pity. I did cite him once, taking a picture from your post of his soup, linking to your post as well. That post is here: http://rmadisonj.blogspot.com/2009/10/in-soup.html
ReplyDeleteI only mention it because it is my one link to him, and the one I thought of when I finally saw this post (don't get around much anymore).
It's the material things we remember, and blest be they for that. My sympathies and prayers are with you; but there is a joy in what is remembered.
Take joy; at least in equal measure with the sorrow.
Thanks for your kind words, Rmj. It is indeed the material things I remember, and the material things I miss the most. What I find so hard is that I will never see Tom again or touch him again as I once did.
DeleteMemories of laughing and crying together, good times and bad are easier to conjure, but the physical is gone forever.
The joy and sorrow are not yet in equal measure, yet, but I'm going to be okay.
Thanks for the link to your "In the Soup" post. I had not seen it at the time. Tom's soups are memorable, each one different, but always good.