Charles Henry Butler was born on October 12, 1932 in the Bronx, New York. He was the second of three children and the only son born to Theresa Simmons Butler, a beautician who owned Theresa’s Curly Top Beauty Shop in Harlem, New York and Charles Henry Butler, a Pullman porter.
Charles was raised in the Bronx and Harlem, New York and graduated from Samuel Gompers High School. While preparing for college, he attended a night school Spanish class at Morris High School, Bronx, New York and it was there that he met the love of his life Lois Belle. Lois and Charles married on January 14, 1956 in the Bronx. Soon after, Charles received a BS in Business Administration from Long Island University and a Masters in Public Administration from New York University. In furtherance of his professional development, he received professional certificates from the Darden School, Wharton School, Yale and the American Management Association.
Charles enlisted in United States Navy in 1953 and served on active duty during the Korean War. After the Korean War he re-enlisted in the United States Air Force as a reservist and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his career in the Air Force, he had the privilege of serving as a Squadron Commander for the 34th Medical Service Squadron and as the Medical Services Corps Officer for the 105th Airlift Wing Medical Clinic. He retired from the Air Force in 1992. After his retirement he served as a United States Air Force Academy Liaison Officer.
In his extensive professional career, Charles held positions with large companies such as the New York Times and Endicott Johnson. After receiving his MPA, he transitioned into hospital administration and worked for the New York City Health and Hospital Corporation for 19 years. He was then appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Hospitals for Rockland County, New York. He also served as an Adjunct Professor at Marymount College, New York University and the State University of New York at Rockland. After retiring as the Deputy Commissioner, he worked for and consulted with nursing homes, assisted living facilities as well as other businesses.
Throughout his life, Charles was actively involved in the community. He was an active parishioner of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for 48 years. He served on the Vestry, as a director of the day-worker support ministry, assisted with the monthly community dinner ministry and served as the church Sexton. He championed the interests of veterans in the greater New York area. He was active in the American Legion, Post 199; Rockland County Buffalo Soldiers; Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., Major General Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter; 369th Veterans’ Association, Inc.; Bronx Vet Center; New City VA Community Clinic; Military Officers Association of America as well as other veteran organizations in Brooklyn and throughout the greater New York area. He was actively involved in other civic activities that included: co-hosting a local cable television newsmagazine called “Face of Public”, Rockland County Branches of the NAACP (Life Member); Advisory Board of Jamaican Civic and Cultural Association of Rockland; Town of Clarkstown Civilian Complaint Review Board; State of New York Department of Health Prostrate and Testicular Cancer Detection and Education Advisory Board; and United States Congressional Advisory Board for Honorable Benjamin A. Gilman.
Charles has received several awards and national recognitions for excellence in his industry and his civic activities including the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award; the Buffalo Soldiers Award; a Citation from the President of the Borough of Brooklyn; a Citation from New York State Assemblyman Sam Coleman; and a Proclamation designating June 9, 2017 as Charles Butler Day from the County Executive for Rockland County Ed Day.
He lived with his loving wife, Lois E. Butler, in Nanuet, New York. He is also survived by his sons Charles (Chuck) H. Butler, Jr., a civil engineer and Craig A. Butler, Esq.; beloved grandson Nkosi Cheikh-Anta Williams, granddaughters Nia Theodora Ayodele Butler and Maya Isabella Omoremi Butler; daughter-in-law Ewadele Freda Butler, Esq. He also leaves behind his sister Julia Butler Gilbert, sister-in-law Roselle Leader, brothers-in-law Leon Leader and Dr. Howard G. Daley, EdD; nieces and their families: Dr. Lisa Daley-Clark, MD, Max Clark and Elena Clark; Dr. Tricia Daley-Bowles, MBA, PhD and Rodney Bowles, Adjua Greaves, Shantel Leader and family; nephews and their families Arthur and Kim Stevenson, Howard G. Daley, Jr., Leon Leader, Jr.; cousins Emily Giraud and her children Renee Smith and family, Joaquin Giraud and family, Tabatha Hayles and family, Judy Lance and her children Kelly Lance and family, Leslie Lance and family and a host of other relatives and friends. His mother, father and sister, Shirley A. Daley preceded him in death. He will be missed by all that knew him.
The Butler Family will receive family and friends on Friday, August 24, 2018 from 5-9pm at Higgins Funeral Home in New City, NY 10956. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 9:30am, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 26 S. Madison Ave., Spring Valley, NY 10977, followed by interment at Frederick Loescher Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 220 Brick Church Road, New Hempstead, NY 10977 and repast at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 26 S. Madison Ave., Spring Valley, NY 10977.
Michael J. Higgins Funeral Service Inc.
321 South Main Street
New City, NY 10956
(845) 634-6110
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18