Obituary of Richard Peter Butkus

Richard Peter Butkus, age 69, formerly of Cable Hollow Rd, Russell, PA, ended his life's adventure at Heritage Village Rehab and Skilled Nursing, Gerry, New York on June 15, 2017 after a struggle with Lewy Body and Alzheimer's Diseases. Born to the late Inger and Peter Butkus, Richard (known to family and many friends as "Peter") spent a blissful childhood with his sister Christine in Upper Black Eddy, PA, along the Delaware River. Following graduation from Palisades High School, he studied at Warren Technical School in Washington, New Jersey, after which he served a four year apprenticeship in tool, die and gage making at the Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia, PA. He was employed for many years as a machinist and tool and die maker at the Naval Air Development Center, a research and development facility in Warminster, Bucks County, PA, eventually being promoted to Shop Planner and Estimator, and then to Shop Foreman. He also attended Penn State University Ogontz Campus in Abington, PA. A kind and gentle soul, Richard was always eager to help family or friends. Married in 1977 in Ivyland, PA to the love of his life, Ellen Labowitz Butkus, they celebrated their 40th anniversary earlier this year. Richard loved traveling, and especially enjoyed visiting numerous off-the-beaten-path islands in the Caribbean. To celebrate his 50th birthday, he and Ellen journeyed to Nova Scotia. In honor of his 60th birthday, they spent one month visiting all of the Canadian Maritime Provinces as well as New England. He enjoyed the outdoors, cross-country skiing, sailing and kayaking. A lover of animals, he shared his life with many dogs and cats over the years. For twelve years the couple owned and operated Hollileif Bed and Breakfast in Wrightstown, Bucks County. After selling the B&B in 2002, they moved to Russell, PA where they resided for 15 years. In 2003 Richard started his own business, Homeworks Professional Handyman Service, LLC in Warren County with the goal of serving customers whose jobs were too small for larger contractors. Richard was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown. In addition to his wife Ellen of Sinclairville, NY, Richard is survived by his sister Christine Hinks (Jack) of West Chester, PA, mother-in-law Elizabeth Labowitz of Pittsburgh, aunt Viola Stanislowski of Clark, NJ, niece Alison Hinks of Chapel Hill, NC, nephew Nathan Hinks (Kelly Ragan) and their son Tor of Downingtown, PA. A memorial service will be led by Rev. Angus Watkins at Lind Funeral Home, 805 W. Third St, Jamestown, NY on Monday, June 19 at 1:00 PM, with visitation from 12:00 to 1:00. Memorials may be made to Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown, 1255 Prendergast Ave, Jamestown, NY 14701; Heritage Ministries, Office of Development, 4600 Route 60, P.O. Box 350, Gerry, NY 14740; Empire Animal Rescue Society, 2 Fancher Ave, Salamanca, NY 14779; or Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750. You may leave words of condolence to Peter's family at www.lindfuneralhome.com.