Obituary of John Butka

John Butka (Dzedo), age 88, of Trumbull, beloved husband of Doris Potter Butka, went home to be with the Lord, on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at Yale New Haven Hospital. Born on January 28, 1927, he was a son of the late John Sr. and Elizabeth Andreso Butka. We praise God for his long and remarkable life, and we rest on the promise that he is with our savior, Jesus. John and Doris were active members of Calvary Church where John served on the board, and major supporters of Christian Heritage School. Dzedo would fill up a room with his much loved stories and obvious enjoyment of family. An avid golfer, John was a much loved presence at the Mill River Country Club where his laughter still rings in the Grill Room. A highly skilled precision machinist, tool maker, inventor and business owner for 62 years, employing as many as 250 people, he was also a powerful presence in the lives of every one he met. He truly was a "man of steel," but with a heart of compassion not often found in others. Throughout his life he gave selflessly and loved deeply. In addition to his beloved wife of 68 years, Doris, survivors include four loving daughters, Carol Ann Anderson and her husband Barton of Louisville, KY, Dianne Stempien and her husband Bruce, Johann Butka and Dorie Lukianuk and her husband Philip all of Trumbull, seven cherished grandchildren, Hans Anderson and his wife Vanessa. Heidi Baxter and her husband Andy, Bethany Mancini and her husband John, Brian Stempien and his wife Sarah, Anna Fields and her husband Philip and Jonathan and Lauren Lukianuk, and thirteen incredibly loved great-grandchildren; two brothers, George Butka of Trumbull and David Butka and his wife Lois of MA, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth Atkinson. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Sunday, October 4, 2015 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. A memorial service will take place on Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Evangelical Free Church, 498 White Plains Rd. (at the Merritt Parkway), Trumbull. Private internment will take place in Lawncroft Cemetery, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in John's memory to the John Butka Memorial Scholarship fund c/o The Advancement Office, Christian Heritage School, 575 White Plains Rd., Trumbull, CT 06611.