Published September 25, 2020
WAKEFIELD — Robert “Pete” Butler, 78, of Wakefield passed away peacefully on September 18.
He was born in Newfoundland, Canada in 1942 to the late Laura (Snow) Butler and William Henry Dawe Butler. He was the beloved husband of the late Evelyn F. (Levenson) Butler, his high school sweetheart with whom he shared 50 wonderful years of marriage. Pete was an Air Force veteran during the Vietnam era.
He was an electrician who retired from Raytheon and also was a Wakefield Auxiliary Police sergeant for many years.
Pete spent a lifetime of devotion to his family and many longtime friends with his outgoing, warm and humorous personality. He had a passion for antique cars and was an active member of the Klaxon Car Club for many years, serving often as the club president. Pete loved spending quality time with his family at the “Mansion” lake house along with having a passion for car rides to wherever the car took him.
Pete was the loving father of William F. Butler and his wife Elizabeth Lawrence of NH, Sandra D. Flanagan and her husband James “Jimmy” and Michael E. Butler, all of Wakefield. He was the cherished grandfather of Matthew and his fiancée Danielle, Bret, Jake and Katie. He was the brother-in-law of Ruth Ann Arty and her husband James of DE. Also survived by nieces, relatives and many friends.
Visiting hours will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose was held on Thursday, September 24, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 645 Main St., Melrose on Friday, September 25, at 10 a.m. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend.
Following the funeral service, the procession will be traveling to Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield to drive by Mr. Butler’s wife’s gravesite. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Evelyn Butler Memorial Scholarship, Northeast Metro Tech High School, 100 Hemlock Rd., Wakefield, MA 01880 ATTN: Tracey O’Brien.
For directions & to sign online condolence visit www.gatelyfh.com
