James J. Butler, 50, of Derby died unexpectedly February 7 at Griffin Hospital, after falling ill at his home when returning from a fire call.spinelliricciutifh.com.

Mr Butler was born in New Haven, June 12, 1965, beloved son of James R. Butler of Derby and the late Josephine DiDonato Butler. A lifelong resident of the Derby community, he had been serving as the deputy fire marshal for the City of Derby fire marshal's office at the time of his death.

In addition to his father, he leaves to cherish his memory a son, James A. Butler of Derby; daughters Sarah Butler, and her fiancé Matthew Piscatelli of New York, and Julianna Butler of Derby; sisters Janice M. Butler of Newtown and Barbara S. Butler (RoseMarie) of Otisville, N.Y.; and his many brother and sister firefighters.

He was the former chief of Derby Fire Department and a 30-year member of Paugassett Hook & Ladder Co. #4 in Derby where he was chief driver and past captain. Mr Butler was also an instructor and member of the Valley Fire Chief's Association, Connecticut State Firemen's Irregular Association, Connecticut State Fire Marshals Association, and New Haven County Fire Emergency Plan.

He was also a coach for many years for Derby Pop Warner Football and the Derby Recreational basketball and softball leagues, as well as a former scout master for National Jamboree A-230 in 2013 and a volunteer at the Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation in Goshen.

Visiting hours will take place Thursday, February 11, from 3 to 8 pm, in the chapel of the Spinelli-Ricciuti/Bednar-Osiecki Funeral Home, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia. On Friday, relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral at 10 am (please meet directly) at Holy Rosary Church, 10 Father Salemi Drive, Ansonia, for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with firefighter honors will take place in Mt St Peter Cemetery in Derby.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Butler Children Scholarship Fund c/o Wells Fargo Advisors, Attention: John Hooker, 93 Lake Avenue Extension, Danbury CT 06810.

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