Obituary of Carmelo Joseph Butera

Carmelo Joseph (Joe) Butera died peacefully May 12, 2023 at his Glastonbury home beside his family.

Joe was born in 1932 to the late Salvatore and Emanuela (Albanese) Butera. After graduating from New Britain High School, he served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged and attended the University of Hartford on the G.I. Bill, graduating in 1963. In 1954 Joe married his high school sweetheart, Marguerite Mary (Scalise) Butera. The couple moved to Glastonbury in 1964 where they raised five children.

Joe was a cherished husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his brother, Matthew Butera; children Mary Anne (Peter) Pescosolido, Theresa Blake, Joseph (Lisa) Butera, Michael (Malorie) Butera, and Tom (Becky) Butera; brother-in-law John Churchill; and several grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved wife of 67 years, Marguerite Butera; sisters-in-law Angie Butera, Lucille S. Higgins and Faith Churchill; brother-in-law Pasquale Scalise; and son-in-law James Blake.

Joe was retired from Shawmut Bank, where he was a Municipal Finance Officer. Earlier in his career he was the Director of Finance for the Towns of Glastonbury, Cheshire and Stratford. Joe was a devout Roman Catholic and parishioner of St. Paul’s Church in Glastonbury, where he served on the Finance Committee for many years. Joe enjoyed sports (Red Sox, Giants and UConn basketball), gardening and above all, his family. He was smart, funny and loyal; he will be deeply missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in SS Isidore and Maria Parish at St. Paul Church, 2577 Main St., Glastonbury. on Wednesday, May 17 at 10:00am. Burial with military honors will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery in Glastonbury. The family wishes to thank Hilda Addison and Acu Quayson for providing excellent care in Joe’s final weeks. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.