Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on August 18, 1922 to James Percival Butler and Katherine Elinor O’Donnell Butler, he graduated from Kimball Union Academy and then entered the US Army where he served his country during the entire war period in three theatres of operations. In the midst of the war, he was reunited with his brother for a few hours on the shores of Guadalcanal as their respective units briefly crossed paths.
Eric left the Army when the war concluded and was immediately admitted to Bowdoin College. During his first year at Bowdoin, he, along with a number of other returning veterans, was housed at the Naval Air Station on Bath Road in a quonset hut. He met his beloved wife, Mary Elizabeth Johnson Butler, on the steps of his fraternity, Psi Upsilon. They married in June 1947 at Mary’s family home in Topsham, Maine and started their married life at the Bowdoin Apartments while Eric was still a student.
Eric graduated from Bowdoin in 1949. He started his career following Bowdoin at the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company and went on to positions of increasing importance and seniority during the years, including a number with DuPont, living in Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina, Michigan, and their beloved Mere Point, Maine.
Eric relocated to Massachusetts to work with the New England Telephone Company and then the First National Bank of Boston. He spent most of his career at the Bank during which Eric, Mary and their three children, Katherine, Elizabeth, and Edward Eric Butler, Jr. (Jay) lived in South Natick and Marblehead, Massachusetts.
Eric’s entire career was notable for his profound love of people. There was nothing he enjoyed more than helping good people get into great jobs where they could thrive. Every year, Eric’s mailbox was filled with holiday cards from people just keeping in touch and thanking him just one more time for his help.
In 1986, Eric and Mary retired to Brunswick, Maine, where Eric pursued his love of people, sailing, and German Shorthaired Pointers. He was ever devoted to his family, St. Paul’s Church, Bowdoin College, Merepoint, and his many friends from the sailing and Bowdoin track and field communities. He spent many hours browsing for special boats in boatyards along the Maine Coast. Above all, he was devoted to people and had a special talent of making most everyone he met feel special. His life was marked by an unfailingly happy and grateful attitude that served as a wonderful example for many. His greetings were marked with positive and affirmative expressions. When asked how he was, he invariably would answer, “Every Day is a Day of Grace.”
Eric was deeply saddened by the death of his beloved wife, Mary, in October, 2012 after 65 years of marriage. He also was predeceased by his brother, James Percival Butler.
He is survived by their three children, Katherine, Elizabeth, and Edward Eric Butler, Jr. (Jay), and beloved grandson, Benjamin Allen Butler as well as by six nieces and nephews: James P. Butler, Dorothy Butler Burns, Arthur B. Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson Kellenberger, Lewis C. Johnson, and Paul T. Johnson.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 11:00 am at St. Paul’s Church in Brunswick, Maine. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, April 12, 2013 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Stetson’s Funeral Home, 12 Federal St., Brunswick. Burial in Riverview Cemetery, Topsham, will be held later in the spring.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Coastal Humane Society, 30 Range Road, Brunswick, Maine 04011.
Condolences may be expressed and a video tribute viewed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com.
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