The Fair Haven Fire Company regrets to announce the passing of Life Member, Ex-President, & 56 year Fire Department member, James (Jim) F. Butler Jr.
Services to be announced at a later date.
He will be missed tremendously. Thoughts are with his family and all his FHFD brothers and sisters.
James F. Butler, Jr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on July 3, 2022. He was a life-long resident of Fair Haven, recently relocating to Rumson. Jim was a second generation Fair Havenite whose grandparents settled there in the 1890’s. He was a proud “Casey” graduating from Red Bank Catholic in 1954. He served in the Army Reserves in the late 1950’s. In 1961 Jim married Josephine Phillips of Red Bank and raised their 3 children in Fair Haven. Jim was employed by the Red Bank Register where he worked in the press room and after retiring, started his own painting business.
Jim’s dedication to Fair Haven was demonstrated in many ways throughout his life. He served on the Recreation Commission, coached baseball for many years, volunteered at the annual 6th Grade Stokes trip and ushered at The Church of the Nativity for over 40 years. He was most proud to be part of the Fair Haven Fire Company, where he was a member for 56 years and was given the distinguished honor of being named a Life Member. He held many offices including past President, President of the Relief Association, Chairman of then Fireman’s Fair personnel and many other committees.
Jim enjoyed being with his family and often would be found attending his grandchildren’s sporting activities, graduations and concerts. He loved reading, traveling, watching the Mets, Jets or a good round of golf.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, James and Beatrice Butler, his wife Josephine of 44 years, brother Jack and sister Eileen. He is survived by his 3 children, Jo Heath (husband Bill), Jill Evarts (husband Scott), Jim Butler (wife Dawn). Jim is also survived by his 4 grandsons, Kyle (fiancé Katie), Gavin (fiancé Kacie), Colin (wife Danielle), Derek and step grandson Creston Evarts. Jim was fortunate to have met Beverly Davis and spent the last 15 years with her and considered her children Rob and Christina, and grandson Ryan as family.
Visitation will be Friday, July 8, 2022 from 5-8pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street in Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at 12:00 at the Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Road in Fair Haven. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to: Maren’s Fierce Fighters, honoring Jim’s great-niece Maren who passed away from leukemia. Maren’s Fierce Fighters was created to help support families fighting childhood leukemia. www.marensfiercefighters.org.