Timothy Butler
December 17, 1942 — February 12, 2024
Celebration of Life for Timothy J. Butler
Passed away peacefully at age 82 on February 12th, 2024. “Timmers,” as he was affectionately called, was an unconditionally loving father to Allison Butler Shrestha, a devoted husband of 48 years to the late Mary Lou Butler, a beloved brother to Susan Hoak and a treasured grandfather to Maxwell, Samuel and Emily Belle.
After completing high school at Hutch Tech, Tim obtained a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from RIT and later, two separate Master’s degrees in Graphic Design and Education from UB. While at RIT, he played center for their first-ever collegiate hockey team for 4 years, leading the team to many victories. Known as “Blades Butler,” his skilled performances were instrumental in elevating the team from club to varsity status. Tim developed lifelong friendships with his teammates and remained a longtime patron of RIT hockey.
Following RIT, Tim boldly embarked on the adventure of a lifetime in his mid 20’s by joining the Peace Corps. While serving 2 years as a graphic designer in Georgetown, Guyana, he made lasting friendships and took numerous trips all over South America.
After the Peace Corps, Tim returned to Buffalo and earned the admiration of hundreds of students through his 29 years as a high school and middle school art teacher in the Ken-Ton school system. In addition to using his artistic gifts with his young pupils, he tirelessly offered his keen eye for design and his drawing skills to help create physical beauty for family, friends and neighbors. Tim hand-built exquisite furniture, drew charming caricatures of loved ones and constructed masterful and detailed renovations of his Kenmore home.
Avid supporters of Buffalo’s Performing Arts venues, he and Mary Lou held lifetime tickets to the BPO, Shea’s, Studio Arena and Kavinoky Theatres and enjoyed many performances there with friends; in years past, they were also frequent patrons of the Shaw Festival in Ontario, Canada. At home, Tim and his wife frequently hosted lively parties that created merriment and laughter for close friends and neighbors. After retiring, he continued his path as a lifelong learner by taking up boogie-woogie piano lessons. Ever a sports enthusiast, Tim skied, played tennis at the Buffalo Racquet Club and was a golfer at Springville Country Club for many years. He embraced adventure and took trips to Europe as well as visiting many places in the U.S. with dear friends who loved his company.
A man of true class and style, Tim’s contagious zest for life, his lighthearted sense of fun, his generosity, and his unswerving devotion to family and friends will be greatly missed by all. Donations in memory of Timothy Joseph Butler can be made to the Peace Corps Guyana Country Fund (http://tinyurl.com/y78j78n4) or RIT hockey (https://t.ly/qlNs8 ).
Passed away peacefully at age 82 on February 12th, 2024. “Timmers,” as he was affectionately called, was an unconditionally loving father to Allison Butler Shrestha, a devoted husband of 48 years to the late Mary Lou Butler, a beloved brother to Susan Hoak and a treasured grandfather to Maxwell, Samuel and Emily Belle.
After completing high school at Hutch Tech, Tim obtained a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from RIT and later, two separate Master’s degrees in Graphic Design and Education from UB. While at RIT, he played center for their first-ever collegiate hockey team for 4 years, leading the team to many victories. Known as “Blades Butler,” his skilled performances were instrumental in elevating the team from club to varsity status. Tim developed lifelong friendships with his teammates and remained a longtime patron of RIT hockey.
Following RIT, Tim boldly embarked on the adventure of a lifetime in his mid 20’s by joining the Peace Corps. While serving 2 years as a graphic designer in Georgetown, Guyana, he made lasting friendships and took numerous trips all over South America.
After the Peace Corps, Tim returned to Buffalo and earned the admiration of hundreds of students through his 29 years as a high school and middle school art teacher in the Ken-Ton school system. In addition to using his artistic gifts with his young pupils, he tirelessly offered his keen eye for design and his drawing skills to help create physical beauty for family, friends and neighbors. Tim hand-built exquisite furniture, drew charming caricatures of loved ones and constructed masterful and detailed renovations of his Kenmore home.
Avid supporters of Buffalo’s Performing Arts venues, he and Mary Lou held lifetime tickets to the BPO, Shea’s, Studio Arena and Kavinoky Theatres and enjoyed many performances there with friends; in years past, they were also frequent patrons of the Shaw Festival in Ontario, Canada. At home, Tim and his wife frequently hosted lively parties that created merriment and laughter for close friends and neighbors. After retiring, he continued his path as a lifelong learner by taking up boogie-woogie piano lessons. Ever a sports enthusiast, Tim skied, played tennis at the Buffalo Racquet Club and was a golfer at Springville Country Club for many years. He embraced adventure and took trips to Europe as well as visiting many places in the U.S. with dear friends who loved his company.
A man of true class and style, Tim’s contagious zest for life, his lighthearted sense of fun, his generosity, and his unswerving devotion to family and friends will be greatly missed by all. Donations in memory of Timothy Joseph Butler can be made to the Peace Corps Guyana Country Fund (http://tinyurl.com/y78j78n4) or RIT hockey (https://t.ly/qlNs8 ).
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