top of page
Buklad-Merlino-Standard-Black-and-Gold.png

Richard J. Butterfield, Sr.

August 15, 1934 - May 5 2023

Richard J. (known by many of his close family and friends as Rick) Butterfield, 88 of Ewing, passed away on May 5, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. The family

wishes to acknowledge and thank the team of outstanding professionals who cared for and treated him at Capital Health Center.


Born in Trenton, he resided in Ewing Twp. for the past 60 years. Dad spent many years as a child at Shriner’s Hospital for Children which is a charity that is near and dear to his heart.


Dad enlisted in the Army and fought in the Korean War. While in Korea, he and his

battalion fought valiantly to defend the 38th Parallel, the critical de-militarized

zone separating North and South Korea. The subject of his battalion’s valiant

efforts were filmed as part of a documentary on the Korean War. Rick (Dad)

proudly wore his Korean War Vet hat and jacket everywhere to honor his follow

service men. He was commended on his service to his country and was awarded

the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Stars, Germany Occupation Medal, United

Nations Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.


After the war, Rick (Dad) worked with his brothers in construction

and in the commercial sign business. While he was offered a lucrative position

working exclusively for a bank in Maine as a foreman and sign director, he elected

instead, to remain in New Jersey close to family in friends.


Up until his death, he was actively employed by Townsend Machine Co. Bart

Townsend and his wife Lorraine always treated him like family and Lorraine (aka

Big Mama) always made sure Dad received her delicious brownies. At Townsend some of his job duties were to make weekly deliveries to businesses throughout New Jersey and made life-long friends of Evans Heat Treating and Switlik employees. His business travels took him often to north jersey where wearing his Korean Vet cap may have eluded him from getting a few speeding tickets from

the NJ State Police!


Aside from his dedicated service to his country and the talents of his

workmanship in the sign industry, he was a skilled carpenter who could build

anything from furniture to decorative signs of cartoon characters to house

additions and patios and leather tooled belts and pocketbooks, which he loved to give as gifts to his close family and friends.


Rick’s (Dad’s) hobbies were many! As a younger man, he was an avid bow hunter

and enjoyed trips to the western United States and Maine to hunt with his best

friend Tom Gilligo. On one such occasion, his expert bow skills required him to

take down a bear that was threatening the hunting party.


He enjoyed playing pool with his friends from Townsend Machine, Cliff, JoAnna (his niece), Billy, Alexis, Tyler and Jorge. He looked forward to their pool games every Friday. Dad was also an avid card shark and loved to play progressive rummy and 31 with his sister, Jean, wife, Nancy and daughter, Barbara as well as with his friends Lillian and Bill Alonzo.


Rick (Dad) also enjoyed playing the lottery and frequenting the local WaWa,

where he was honored as Customer of the Month. He loved his coffee

and loved the staff at WaWa who always treated him like family.


Rick (Dad) loved sports, especially hockey and was an avid Devils fan. He enjoyed

all levels of hockey from Juniors to International play, and attended many NHL

games over the years with his wife Nancy, an avid Flyers fan, and also enjoyed

going to the games with his friend Dave Harney. He also enjoyed NFL football as

an avid Colts Fan and bet on many games with his friend Ray.


Rick (Dad) is predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Nancy (Marie) Butterfield, his parents, Bertram Butterfield and Anna Czaplinski, brothers Wyatt, Bertram, William, John (Jack) and sister, Elaine Butterfield Redlinger. He is survived by his son, Richard J. Butterfield, Jr. and his wife Lisa; his daughter Barbara Butterfield DeLucia and her husband Anthony; his sister, Jean Butterfield Nolan, nephews, Rocky Butterfield, Brian Butterfield, Bill Redlinger, Jack Redlinger , CK Redlinger, John Butterfield, George Butterfield, nieces, Rebecca Butterfield, Karen Aschbacher, JoAnna Butterfield, Patty Jo Redlinger Sanchez, and many great nieces, nephews and other relatives.


He will be missed by his co-workers at Townsend Machine, including his long-term

boss/friend, Bart, Cliff, Alexis, Alyssa and all the staff as well as the Lauricella and

Gilligo families, especially Gabe, his godson, and his friends at the WaWa.


He will also be missed by his neighbors Ewa, Dariusz, Renata and Magdalene

Stankowski. Both Renata and Magdalene were like grandchildren to him.


A special thank you to Cliff Nanfeldt and his entire family treating Dad as part of

their family inviting him to attend many events and holidays with them. He

always came back with fun stories and had a wonderful time.


A special thank you to Karen and Sepp Aschbacher and JoAnna Butterfield and

your entire family for also including him at your holiday and family events. Dad loved you guys and very much enjoyed spending time with you!


Relatives and friends may attend a visitation on Tuesday evening, May 16, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m at the Buklad-Merlino Yardville Memorial Home, 30 Yardville-Allentown in Yardville.


Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 10:30 a.m. at the Buklad-Merlino Yardville Memorial Home with local clergy officiaiting.


Burial will follow at Princeton Memorial Park in Robbinsville.


Donations can be made in Rick (Dad’s) honor to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 947765, Atlanta, Georgia 30394.





 

Send a flower arrangement to the family →

 

Please sign our guestbook

Leave a tribute or memory in the comments area, below.


9 comments

9 Comments


Vincent Lauricella
Vincent Lauricella
May 16, 2023

I was so saddened to learn of Rick's passing; please accept my condolences on behalf of the Lauricella family. Rich was a larger-than-life figure to me from the first time I met him as a young boy. When he would come up to "the farm" to see my Mom and Dad, it was an event, not just a visit. I remember being captivated by his stories and cherish them to this day. If my cousin Tom was with him, as he often was, a friendly wrestling match would usually ensue between the two of them on our front lawn! For so many years, I would meet Rick before dawn on cold December mornings to go deer hunting. In sp…

Like

ocawonchee10
ocawonchee10
May 12, 2023

To my favorite Uncle who is so down to earth. I am going to miss our funny conversation you always made me laugh. We never got to go Elk hunting on horse back like we talked about, but it may have been a good think (we would have got in trouble lol). I am so blessed to have had you in my life. I LOVE YOU UNCLE RICK. Patty Jo Sanchez

Like

kbabula3
May 12, 2023

My condolences to the family. Special condolences to Rick's brother Charles "Butch" Marshall and his two nieces, Charlene and Nicole his Goddaughter. God Bless. Karen

Like

kwesiywb
May 12, 2023

Rick was such a great man. He is a perfect example of the biblical quote " a good name is better than riches", he had such a kind heart and a bright smile. Your good deeds are boldly written on my heart. My condolence to the family. George Kwesi❤

Like

Lillian Alonzo
Lillian Alonzo
May 10, 2023

Rick was always a friend to everyone, no one could hear his name without having a big smile on their face. As a newlywed, I found a job where I met Nancy. Not long after, Rick was hired and

met the love of his life. The four of us had a lifetime friendship, having priceless memories. We were so blessed having Rick a big part of our lives. Thank you for serving our country with honor.

Love you always. You will be missed, but never forgotten. Bill & Lill Alonzo 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Like

SEND FLOWERS

If you'd like to send flowers, please consider one of our local florists →

bottom of page