John J. Butler

John J. “Jack” Butler, 88, formerly of Fair Haven, NJ passed away on March 11, 2021. He was born in Long Branch, NJ on August 2, 1932 to the late James F. and Beatrice (Touhy) Butler and lived in Fair Haven for most of his life.

Jack worked as a letter carrier for the Red Bank Post Office for 42 years – a career he greatly enjoyed since it enabled him to work outdoors and to get to know his customers along his route.  Being a letter carrier also enabled Jack to stop in at his children’s sporting or school events and then head right back to work.  Jack valued his time and accomplishments at the Post Office and the many friendships he made while working there over his four-decade tenure.

Jack’s commitment to helping others led him to enlist in the US Navy where he served on the USS Borie (DD-704) during the Korean War from 1952-1956.  Jack also proudly served his local community as a life-long, 64-year member of the Fair Haven Fire Company. 

Throughout his life, Jack’s primary passion was his family and he cherished the many barbeques, parties, trips, and other events that brought everyone together.   Second, though, was thoroughbred horse racing--- Jack loved talking about the horses with his friends, analyzing his picks and simply being part of the atmosphere at Monmouth Park every summer.  Fittingly, Jack won the most recent bets he placed— backing Authentic in the 2020 Kentucky Derby and Breeders Cup Classic.  When not at the track, Jack was a golfer, a bowler, a baseball player, and a strong supporter of both the Jets and the Mets.  Last, no day was complete for Jack without first reading the NY Daily News—from back to front.  

Jack was predeceased by his adored granddaughter, Maren Kaniewski and his sister Eileen Butler. Surviving are his loving children, John F. Butler and his wife Janelle and Bridget Kaniewski and her husband Richard, his cherished grandchildren, John, Rory, Megan, Ricky and Deirdre and his dear brother, James F. Butler.

A visitation will be held at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, NJ 07701 on Monday, March 15, 2021 from 9-10:30am. A Mass of Christian Burial will then immediately follow the visitation at the Church of the Nativity on Monday, March 15, 2021 at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.   Jack’s family will then hold a celebration of his life at Monmouth Park this summer, once Covid 19 conditions permit.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in Jack’s memory to Maren’s Fierce Fighters, www.marensfiercefighters.org in honor of his granddaughter.

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