David Thomas Butler Sr, Retired Everett fire chief and longtime North Reading resident, passed away at 65 years old in his home on February 19 th, 2020 surrounded by his loved ones, following a long and courageous fight with cancer. Beloved husband of 42 years to Mary (Gorman) Butler. 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, MA. Cherished grandfather of Brayden, Blake, and Avery Carlson; Hannah, Lily, and Patrick Frew; Olivia Guzman and Alyssa Butler; and Connor and Ella Balsley. Brother of Roy Butler, Patricia St. Germain and Cheryl Bond. David is pre-deceased 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, was invited to speak internationally numerous times as an expert on LNG safety, and twice 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, MA, David graduated from Malden Catholic and Suffolk University with a BS 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 ten 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 are invited to attend a funeral from the JF Ward Funeral Home 772 Broadway, Everett on Monday, February 24th at 9am. Followed by a Funeral Mass in Immaculate Conception Church, 487 Broadway, Everett at 10am. Visiting Hours will be held Sunday from 2-6pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children at http://www.lovetotherescue.org
For online guestbook and directions please visit: www. jfwardfuneralhome.com