Thomas Butz

Thomas Paul Butz, 86, of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, passed away on August 24, 2022. Tom was born on March 31, 1936 to Paul and Leila Butz of Stroudsburg, PA. He attended Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, where he was a member of the soccer team, the Inter-Fraternity Council, and President of the Alpha Chapter of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. After graduating in 1957, Tom attended Rutgers University Law School on full scholarship, and was editor of the Law Review, and graduated with Honors in 1960.

Tom and his first wife, Joan C. Butz, moved to Toms River, NJ after law school, where they would raise their three children. After serving as a law clerk for the Honorable Edward Knight, he joined the practice of Haines and Schuman and quickly became a partner in the firm, Haines, Schuman and Butz. After Mr. Haines’ passing, the firm became Schuman and Butz, where he would practice with his dear partner and friend Harold Schuman for over 50 years. His son, Richard, joined the firm in 1991, and the two worked together until Tom’s retirement at the age of 83. During his lengthy legal career, Tom served as the President of the Ocean County Bar Association, Attorney for the Ocean County Board of Realtors for more than 30 years, Chairman of Real Property and Probate Section for the New Jersey Bar Association and was Chairman of the Judicial and County Prosecutor Appointments Committee. Tom took great pride in being an attorney, representing his clients, and treating his adversaries with honesty, integrity and respect.

In addition to his work life, Tom was very active in his community, serving as President of both the Toms River YMCA as a founding member, and the Toms River United Soccer Club where he also coached Youth Soccer. Tom was an original founder and member of the Board of Directors of the Southern Ocean State Bank, and involved in the creation and approval of the Tuckerton Seaport. Tom lived a simple life, loved to travel and could always be found with a book in his hand. He loved spending time with his beloved family, especially at his Lake Pocahontas cabin in the Poconos.

Tom is predeceased by his parents, Paul and Leila Butz, his sisters, Joan Butz and Victoria Viechnicki and his second wife of 25 years, Sandra G. Butz, and her son, Anthony Troy Godfrey.

He is survived by his three children, Dave Butz and wife Mary, Richard Butz and wife Susan, and Susan Maier and husband Norbert, together with his grandchildren, Thomas and Jack Butz, Megan Owrey and husband Zek, Carlie and Owen Butz, and Jake and Ryann Maier, and great- grandchildren Hunter and McKenzie. We will miss his laugh, sarcastic wit and generous heart-Forever.

Tom is also survived by Sandra’s son Trent and her grandchildren, Andrew, Adam and Sarah.

A memorial gathering will be held at Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main Street in Toms River on Saturday, September 3 from 3-6. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.andersonandcampbell.com.