J. Alan Butler

J. Alan Butler, 88, of South Kingstown, passed away Thursday November 7th at South County Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Mary Louise (Tierney) Butler for 65 years. Born in Pawtucket, he was the son of the late Edward J. and Phebe (Steere) Butler. Mr. Butler was a Social Studies and English teacher at South Kingstown High School for 36 years, where he founded the Model Legislature, retiring in 1986. In addition to teaching he spent 17 years coaching the high school football team, taking the team to the Superbowl in 1982. In his youth he was a standout baseball and football player and earned all state honors in both sports at Pawtucket East High School. He enlisted in the Army Air Force after graduation and was stationed in Europe, serving as a tail gunner on a B-17 bomber during WWII. He was also a graduate of the University of Rhode Island. He was a life member of the Approved Baseball Umpires of RI and a former member of its board of directors. He had served as Moderator of the Narragansett town financial meeting and was a member of the Narragansett Charter Commission. He was a member of both the RI and Washington County Retired Teachers Associations. In addition to his wife he is survived by 4 children, Gregory of Pawtucket, Jeffrey and Marylou of South Kingstown and Brian of North Kingstown, as well as 11 grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Arlene Griffin, Austen, Edward and Robert Butler. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church, High St., Wakefield at 10am on Tuesday November 12th. Visiting hours Monday November 11th, 4-7pm at Avery-Storti Funeral Home, Columbia St. Wakefield. Burial with Military Honors will be at the RI Veteran's Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. Francis Church or a charity of your choosing.