Retired Everett Fire Chief
Published February 27, 2020
NORTH READING — David Thomas Butler Sr., 65, retired Everett Fire Chief and longtime North Reading resident, passed away in his home on February 19, 2020 surrounded by his loved ones, following a long and courageous fight with cancer.
He was the beloved husband of 42 years to Mary (Gorman) Butler and the adored father of Erin (Butler) Carlson and her husband, Doug; Kelly (Butler) Frew and her husband, David; David T. Butler Jr. and his wife Nancy; and, Sarah (Butler) Balsley and her husband, Michael, all of North Reading. He was the cherished grandfather of Brayden, Blake and Avery Carlson; Hannah, Lily and Patrick Frew; Olivia Guzman and Alyssa Butler; and Connor and Ella Balsley. He was the dear brother of Roy Butler, Patricia St. Germain and Cheryl Bond. David was predeceased by his parents, Everett Fire Lt. Roy B. Butler and Lucille (Morel) Butler.
Joining the department in 1978, for 39 years David proudly served as a firefighter for the City of Everett. Serving alongside his father at the start of his career, David rose through the ranks to become chief of the department in August of 2000, a role he filled loyally until his retirement in July of 2016.
Among many accolades and achievements throughout his career, David was named Firefighter of the Year in 1985 and he was invited to speak internationally numerous times as an expert on LNG safety. Twice, he earned gubernatorial appointments, most notably as a member of the prestigious Commonwealth of Massachusetts Fire Service Commission.
In his retirement, David served as Executive Director of Metrofire, working alongside the chiefs of Metro Boston fire departments, a group to which he attributes much of his success as chief and so many great friendships in his retirement.
Born and raised in Everett, David graduated from Malden Catholic High School and Suffolk University with a B.S. in biology and marine sciences. As devoted as he was to the fire department, David’s true loves were his wife, children and their spouses, and especially his 10 grandchildren. Any time he could spend with them at their home in North Reading or on Cape Cod was precious. His happiest times were spent gathered around a dinner table over a meal that he cooked for his large family and extensive group of friends.
Relatives and friends were invited to attend a funeral from the J.F. Ward Funeral Home, 772 Broadway, Everett on Monday, February 24, followed by a funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, 487 Broadway, Everett. Visiting hours were held Sunday.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in memory of David Thomas Butler Sr. to: Shriners Hospitals for Children at www.lovetotherescue.org or mail a donation to: Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607.
To sign the online guestbook please visit: www.jfwardfuneralhome.com.
