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.
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