Obituary of Brian Phillip Butler

Brian Butler, 49

Brian Butler, age 49, of Manchester, New Jersey, passed away Saturday morning April 20^th, 2024. 

Brian was born in Florida and raised in West Orange, attending Our Lady of Lourdes and graduating with the class of ’93 from Seton Hall Prep.  He moved on to Essex County Community College and remains very close with many school friends.

Brian was a loving and caring person who would open his heart to friends and family and bend over backwards to help them out.  He had a great sense of humor and loved sharing it whenever he could.

Through Brian’s career he wore many hats and embraced whatever opportunity he pursued. Brian really enjoyed his jobs as a bartender, a wireless sales rep and a sales rep for Bil Jac dog foods, but the job that meant the most to him was being a counselor at Frost Valley YMCA in the Catskill mountains of Claryville, New York.  He first went to Frost Valley as a camper of 9 years old and returned every summer working with horses, loving nature and fascinated with life in the mountains where he could embrace sunrise, sunset, lightning storms, fresh air and freedom to run and play.  When he was too old to be a camper, he had no choice but to become a counselor where he became ‘Super Brian’ and made sure that all of his campers had as much fun as he did every summer.  His antics, fun, excitement and creativity were well known and loved by campers and staff.  His warm and approachable nature helped his campers to get the most out of their experience. For the rest of his life these would be the days that meant the most to him and the lifelong friends he continues to hold close, laugh and reminisce with.   

Brian’s love of adventure would lead him to capture his friends and take off on random road trips. Many stories of them are still told.   Brian, himself was a great storyteller and never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

In 2003 he inherited the job of ‘family’ Santa Claus from his dad and accepted it with enthusiasm.  The youngest generation in the family was awed by this 6’2” Santa who would bring them presents every Christmas.

In 2021 he moved to Manchester to be a caregiver for his mother, MaryJo. 

In 2022 he met his girlfriend Alysia who stood by him and brightened his life while he went through some difficult times with his health.  Her love was his strength.

He is survived by his mother, MaryJo Connolly (nee Weisbrot), his brother Jason Connolly, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, Godparents, Godson and his cat, Indiana.  

Friends and family may visit Dangler Funeral Home, 340 Main Street, West Orange on Friday April 26 from 6 to 9 pm.  There will be a final viewing Saturday morning April 27^th at 9am then leaving at 9:30am for Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Ave, East Hanover.  Or friends and family can meet at Gate of Heaven office at 10am then proceed for the funeral and eulogy at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please sign up to be an organ donor or donate blood