James F. Butler Jr. passed away peacefully July 3, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was a lifelong resident of Fair Haven, recently relocating to Rumson.
Jim was a second generation Fair Havenite whose grandparents settled there in the 1890s. He was a proud Casey, graduating from Red Bank Catholic High School in 1954. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve in the late 1950s. In 1961 Jim married Josephine Phillips of Red Bank and they raised their three children in Fair Haven. Jim was employed by the Red Bank Register where he worked in the press room and, after retiring, started his own painting business.
Jim’s dedication to Fair Haven was demonstrated in many ways throughout his life. He served on the Recreation Commission, coached baseball for many years, volunteered at the annual sixth-grade Stokes trip and ushered at The Church of the Nativity for over 40 years. He was most proud to be part of the Fair Haven Fire Company, where he was a member for 56 years and was given the distinguished honor of being named a Life Member. He held many offices including past president, president of the Relief Association, chairman of the Fireman’s Fair personnel and many other committees.
Jim enjoyed being with his family and often would be found attending his grandchildren’s sporting activities, graduations and concerts. He loved reading, traveling, watching the Mets, Jets or a good round of golf.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, James and Beatrice Butler; his wife Josephine of 44 years; brother Jack; and sister Eileen.
He is survived by his three children, Jo Heath (husband Bill), Jill Evarts (husband Scott), and Jim Butler (wife Dawn). Jim is also survived by his four grandsons, Kyle (fiancé Katie), Gavin (fiancé Kacie), Colin (wife Danielle) and Derek and step-grandson Creston Evarts. Jim was fortunate to have met Beverly Davis and spent the last 15 years with her and considered her children, Rob and Christina and grandson Ryan as family.
Visitation was July 8 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated July 9 at The Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Maren’s Fierce Fighters at marensfiercefighters.org, honoring Jim’s great-niece Maren who passed away from leukemia. Maren’s Fierce Fighters was created to help support families fighting childhood leukemia.
The article originally appeared in the July 14 – 20, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
