SALEM - Mr. Paul G. Butler, husband of Sally A. (Leahy) Butler for the past 67 years, died October 22nd, 2024 at home surrounded by his family. Paul was blessed with a large family as well as many friends and endeavors.

Born in Salem, Paul was the son of the late Thomas and Anna (Leary) Butler. He was one of nine children as well as father to 3, grandfather to 5, great-grandfather to 5 and uncle to more than 40 nieces and nephews. After graduating from Salem High School in 1953, Paul served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict. After an honorable discharge, he worked for Massachusetts Electric Co. starting as a lineman and was promoted to district supervisor.

Except for time in the Navy, he spent his life living on Gallows Hill where he found the love of his life, Sally, living 3 houses away and lived most of his life 4 houses in the other direction. Even the Navy could not separate him from his family and Salem as Paul served on the USS Salem (CA-139) with his brother-in-law, Dr. James Ryan.

Paul loved the Gallows Hill neighborhood and park. Every house had a family name, and the families looked out for one another. Paul became an athlete and sports fan. He learned to ski, skate and play baseball. He was the co-captain of the 1953 Salem High hockey team and later played in golf and softball leagues. Paul had common sense and knew the importance of the common good. He engaged in Salem politics. He voted, wrote checks, and made signs.

Paul was loyal and generous, always sharing and giving.  From delivering food and shoes during the Great Depression, he learned a way of life grounded in simplicity. He worked for 40 years with Mass Electric Co. and then consulted for 10 more. Being a lineman was a tough job, but it suited him. His strength was evident in his work, and he loved being outside. He was proud to have two nephews and other relatives follow in his footsteps.

As a man of faith, Paul was always ready to lend a helping hand. It was all in the family, and the family, friends and organizations benefitted from his kindness whether it was a renovation of a kitchen or an upgrade of electrical work. During blizzards, he would work around the clock only to come home, start up a snowblower and clear his own property as well as that of his neighbors. To give thanks to God, he made the weekly one-mile trip to St. James Church, where he was a communicant and usher.  The "parish" and the "park" were part of an existence that was connected to his other organizations including The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), The American Legion (Post 23) and The Knights of Columbus. Proud of his Irish heritage, Paul was a past President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Div. 18.

Paul and Sally loved and supported each other for over eight decades. Sally was his beloved, and it was with her that he belonged. She made him happy and whole right down to his soul. They raised 3 children who lived close and stayed close. His family and friends gave him a lifetime of memories and whose support sustained him. There were the linemen, the members of the AOH, the crew from Essex, MA, and the Ft. Lauderdale folks with whom he vacationed every winter for more than 30 years. Paul enjoyed a happy retirement swimming in his pool, tending to his garden, reading books on history, and traveling to various countries including Ireland and Australia. He also drove cross country and enjoyed a Tiger Cruise with the U.S. Navy from Pearl Harbor to San Diego.

He is survived by his wife Sally and his three children: Paul (Francine), Brian and Mary Ann (Jeff). He leaves 5 grandchildren:  Corrin, Alaina (Jessie), Janelle (Andrew), Colin, Emily (Tyler) as well as 6 great-grandchildren: Jake, Riley, Lucie, Nora, Jackson and Wesley. He is survived by his sisters Rosemary Mroz and Janice Hyam, as well as dozens of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings: M. Louise Butler, Kathleen Sodders, John Butler, Thomas Butler III, Patricia Femino and Ann Ryan. The Butler family asks for those who knew him to pray for the repose of his soul, particularly by attendance at Mass.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Paul's funeral Mass which will be held at St. James Church, 161 Federal St., Salem on Saturday, November 2nd at 10 A.M. There are no visiting hours, and the burial will be private. Please meet directly at the church. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

Care Dimensions
75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers MA 01923
Web: https://www.caredimensions.org/