Phillip Andrew Butcher, of Middletown and Red Bank, passed peacefully Oct. 26, 2025.
Phil was born Dec. 1, 1946, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, to parents Roger and Atta Pearl Butcher. He grew up on a vegetable farm and worked hard through his formative years. He had a horse named Ginger, and he enjoyed whistling to horses along roadsides and watching them dutifully raise their heads.
In high school, Phil was named Most Likely to Succeed, which did not surprise his children. He continued his education at Eastern Michigan University for his Bachelor of Arts in English literature. He later returned after the war to earn his master’s in English.
Phil was in ROTC before joining the Army in 1969. He was at Fort Knox, then Fort Carson. He was a second lieutenant and served as a statistics officer and speech writer for a general. Later, he became a junior aide to Gen. Bernard Rogers, who later became the commander of NATO. Phil twice volunteered to go to (and then stay in) Vietnam. He started as a platoon leader in the 11th Armored Cavalry. Blackhorse was the best unit in Vietnam, according to Phil. He rose to the rank of captain as an operations and intelligence officer and served a total of 17 months in Vietnam before his discharge in 1972. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his service.
Phil worked for McGraw-Hill for more than 35 years. He started as a sales rep field manager in Columbus, Ohio, where he would ultimately meet the love of his life, Donna Prior. They moved to St. Louis, where he became editor-in-chief, then to Red Bank when Phil was promoted to publisher of college textbooks in New York City. He made many lasting relationships with friends at McGraw-Hill.
Phil was an avid fisherman and found much beauty in a quiet morning on a lake or river in his Ranger bass boat. He had a passion for playing guitar and attended regular guitar meetups at Maloney’s in Matawan on Wednesday nights. He loved music and had a wonderful singing voice. Joni Mitchell was his absolute favorite. Phil enjoyed reading and loved history, politics and religion. He truly cherished his many friendships.
Phil married Donna in 1975. They lived a wonderful life together, raising their children, attending live theater and enjoying fine dining with friends. Phil and Donna loved to travel around the world together. They just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in September.
Phil adored his children, Kristen (Darryl) and Todd (Lindsey), who were his greatest pride and joy. This extended to grandchildren, Hadley (12), Maxwell (11), Hudson (9) and Dylan (8), each of whom brought endless happiness into his life.
Phil is survived by his loving wife, Donna; his children; his grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his sister, Betty (Pete). He was predeceased by his father and mother, sister Nancy (Gary), and brothers Bill and Kenneth (Mary Jo).
The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank.
A Memorial Service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at the United Methodist Church of Red Bank, 247 Broad St., Red Bank.
In lieu of, or in addition to, flowers and plants, donations may be made to the following in Phil’s honor to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org or the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) at aclu.org.
The article originally appeared in the November 6 – 12, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
