Eugene Duane Butterfield

Eugene (Gene) Butterfield passed on to his next great adventure on February 14, 2024 at age 92, in Coconut Creek, FL. His recent battle with metastasized cancer was a valiant one, and he maintained his positive, giving and loving perspective until the final day. Gene would wish it to be noted that he was two weeks short of his 93rd birthday- give credit when credit is due!

Gene is survived by his children, Patricia Jane Butterfield a resident of Florida, Dr. Jay Vance Butterfield and wife Anne, and Dr. Lisa Marie Butterfield and son Nicholas Gainey, and brother in law, David Dolce.

Gene inspired his children greatly; Jay to excel in every rung of educational leadership up to the state consultant level in PA. Gene was daughter Lisa’s closest advisor, confidant and friend, and his unswerving support helped her complete her Doctorate of Optometry and flourish in her own practice in VA. Gene is also survived by his sister, Joan Kulnane, and brother, Robert Butterfield as well as his brother-in-law, David Dolce. A significant loving family including grandson, Nicholas Gainey, son of Lisa; step grandchildren, Dr. Lauren F. Callison and Benjamin H.A. Forster; multiple cousins, nieces and nephews and great grandchildren - all celebrate his life well-lived. Gene also leaves behind his loving life partner of five years, Melody Squires, with whom he shared his love of barbershop singing and travel. Gene was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Jane Butterfield; his loving wife of 39 years, Madalyn M. (Dolce); his brothers, Dale and Jack; Madalyn’s parents, Pietrina and Charles (Calogero) Dolce; her sister, Carmelita and her two brothers, Chuck (A.C.) and Philip.

Gene was born on February 28, 1931, in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. His proud Ohio heritage includes graduating from Fairport Harbor High School, home of the Skippers, Miami University and The Ohio State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering. Gene’s career included leadership roles from supervisor up to several appointments as company vice president, most recently with Consolidated Engineering Corporation in Marietta, Georgia. In his later years he felt called to the healing arts and obtained his certification as a massage therapist, easing the physical discomfort of hundreds of clients, friends and acquaintances through the years.

Gene had civic commitments that included assisting at the volunteer leadership level with the Association for Retarded Citizens, United Cerebral Palsy, and other philanthropic causes. Most of these were connected to his unwavering care, support and dedication to his daughter, Patricia who is intellectually and physically disabled. He remained a steadfast light in her life, driving to visit regularly, taking her to Disney World- her favorite place, and enriching her life with nearly daily phone calls until his final week.

Mr. Butterfield was a ham at heart- always ready with an anecdote, a funny story- dating back as far as his early childhood, or a joke of the day (or moment). His kind spirit warmed many hearts wherever he went, and he was ALWAYS there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He was an artist (watercolors were his favorite); an inventor- yes several clever and useful designs; an athlete, holding records at the HS level, as well as participating in collegiate track and field and football, and after college, coaching local football programs. Gene’s special talent in music led him to participate in church music, musical theater (where he almost always stole the show), a family singing ensemble with Jay and Lisa, and the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) - for over 65 years! In the BHS, Gene held roles from founding member to chapter officer, to music team member, to musical and assistant and artistic director in SIX choruses in PA, IN, GA and including the Miamians in FL. He coached choruses and quartets in all of these states as well as singing in quartets and choruses in all as well. His most cherished memory as a chorus singer was of being a charter member of the 13 time International Champion chorus, the Vocal Majority. Perhaps his most notable quartet experience was as a guest performer for Disney World for several years in the early 2000’s. His activity and talent strongly influenced his son, Jay who serves the BHS as a 50 year member, singing judge, medalist director, international coach and quartet singer. Singing was such an important part of Gene’s life that final last public performance was on February 6, 2024 one week before he hung up his pitch pipe for the last time.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, in July 2024. Friends and family can reach out to Jay-jvbbbs1@ gmail.com - for details.

Remembrance gifts can be sent in memory of Gene to the Barbershop Harmony Society, Harmony Foundation International, Keep a Melody Ringing fund, at: https://www.harmonyfoundation.org/memorial-giving, or to your local chapter of the ARC.