David R. Butcher

David R. Butcher

Born November 14, 1940 to Frank and Nora Butcher of East River, Grand Island. David went to Sidway School and Tonawanda HS before joining the Navy when he was 17, serving four years active and two years inactive. On August 29, 1964 he married the love of his life, Joan Carolyn Schick of Buffalo. They married at St. Stephens Church and lived the rest of their lives on Grand Island, raising three daughters. David retired in 1999 from General Motors, having worked at the Tonawanda Motor Plant and later at the Buffalo Harrison Radiation Plant. He dedicated his life to taking care of his family. He was generous and had a great sarcastic wit. He was kind and determined while never wanting to be the center of attention. He was the person everyone turned to for a hand, an idea, a good laugh, or just someone to confide in. He was a mechanic and self taught woodworker and dabbled in photography. He spent his retirement years helping to raise his grandson, Thomas. Later, he was his wife Joan's caretaker when she became ill, passing away in 2019 ... keeping his promise to her that she would always be at home until the end. The last few years of his life, his daughters Linda and Kathy helped look after him when his health changed. Yet he continued to be the one they would all ask how to fix something, or complain about the traffic or have a spirited discussion of current politics. He loved his family, his home, working in the yard, chopping wood, fishing and the smell of his tools in his garage. David leaves behind his three daughters, Linda, Kathy and Amy Butcher; grandsons David and Thomas and granddaughter Christina; sister Sybil (Michael) Corrigan; brothers John (Kaia) and Richard (Debbie) Butcher; brother-in-law Robert (Lisa) Schick, Jack (Toni) Schick and sister-in-law Mary (late Dan) Woodcock. David was predeceased by his brothers Mel and Roger Butcher. Friends may call Thursday Nov. 5 from 4-7 at Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Rd. David will be buried along with wife Joan Saturday Nov. 7 at 1 PM at Assumption Cemetery, Grand Island and all are invited back to the Butcher family home afterwards. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Hospice Buffalo.