Fire Investigator Joseph Butler

[DOC22 1]

Thoughts and prayers to Joe's family and friends as well as those of us who knew and worked with him RIP, Joe you will be missed.

[x635 4,066]

What a nice obit in the paper today..

Just curious where he resided, and if we was affiliated with any company in WC.

RIP Joe

BUTLER, JOE - BUTLER, JOE Dubbed the “Dean of Arson Investigators“ by his many protégés, the twinkling blue eyes of Joseph A. Butler Jr. closed for the last time at the Reformed Church Home in Old Bridge, NJ on February 10, 2005. After 20 years in the New York City Fire Department, Joe set his eyes on a related career. He spent 8 years as an arson investigator for the National Board of Fire Underwriters, before moving to become Criminal Investigator of Arson for the District Attorney of Westchester County. During this 20-year period, he investigated notable catastrophic fires. Some examples are the Yonkers Jewish Community Center, New Rochelle High School, Con Edison Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, Port Chester Gulliver's Restaurant and the Purchase Stouffer's Inn fires. The fire chiefs throughout Westchester County could count on Joe to appear at any hour of the day or night to pour through the rubble and debris of a fire scene. In all, he personally visited about 2,500 fire scenes for the County of Westchester. His ability to succinctly and simply convey principles of arson made him a sought after speaker for the fire departments and related functions and conventions and a popular lecturer at Mercy College. His hearty laugh, ready smile and his signature large silver belt buckles were some of his distinguishing characteristics. He received the Man of the Year award from Shields of America in 1977. He was a graduate of Xavier Military High School and attended CCNY. Joe was still employed by the DA's office when he had his first stroke at age 78. After a series of strokes, he and his wife Margaret relocated to New Jersey to be near their daughter Kathleen Barbarello. His loving wife, Margaret, of 65 years predeceased him by less than two weeks. He is survived by his four daughters: Peggy Erny of Texas, Patricia Surian of California, Helen Eiler of Michigan, and Kathleen Barbarello of New Jersey, and their familes, including eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm on February 16, 2005 at the Freeman Manalapan-Marlboro Funeral Home, 344 Route 9 North, Manalapan, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be held at 9:00 am on February 17, 2005 at Our Lady of Mercy RC Church, 58 Main Street, Englishtown, NJ. Burial will follow at Saint Johns Cemetery, Queens, NY. Donations in his name may be made to Hospice Care Alternatives, 70 Jackson Drive, Suite 200, Cranford, NJ 07016, or the Reformed Church Home, 1990 Route 18 North, Old Bridge, NJ 08857.

[firecapt32 282]

The Fire service lost a great man in Joe Butler. Those of us that knew him or worked with him, knew his talent wasent only investigiation, but teaching ever firefighter he came across what to look for how to find it, what the cause was. A tip of the cap to joe may he be remembered for a long time

[TR54 239]

Dedication this Friday (FEB 10 th 2006 )at the Training Center.

Edited February 7, 2006 by TR54

[Guest]

Dedication this Friday (FEB 10 th 2006 )at the Training Center.

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What Time ? Friday