Frederick Scott Butler, 77, of Londonderry, NH, passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at The Birches at Concord. Fred, as he was known to most, and “Butlah!” to a select few, was born on November 3, 1945, in Boston, MA, the son of the late Frederick and Augusta (Pitingolo) Butler. He had been a resident of Londonderry for the past 48 years. Raised in Cambridge, MA, Fred attended Rindge Technical High School for three years before graduating from Watertown High School in 1963. He completed his education at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he earned a degree in Marine Engineering in 1967, and was a proud alumnus and supporter of his alma mater.
Once he’d gotten his paper and was free, Fred traded the land-locked life to sail with the Merchant Marine, perhaps influenced by popular depictions of merchant seamen, including the slightly less handsome Humphrey Bogart (“Action in the North Atlantic”) and the similarly muscled Popeye (“Popeye the Sailor”). He shipped out for years and found himself in dozens of exotic ports around the world, eventually coming home to his beautiful wife to raise their two children.
He never lost touch with the ocean, working for Boston Towboats for more than a decade. After his children were well into their school years, Fred said what the merchant seaman in the famous recruiting poster says: “You bet I’m going back to sea!” He continued to sail the globe, engaging in occasional (mis)adventures involving salty air, salty tales, salty characters, and salty potato chips. Never one to "knock it until he tried it," Fred eventually retired just in time to begin his next adventure as a grandfather.
While living on dry land, Fred could be found basking in the sun in Cape Cod, Hampton, and countless other beaches. An avid flea marketer of some local renown, Fred's collection of various book- and tool-related paraphernalia was as unique and fascinating as he was. He routinely led family hiking expeditions up Mount Monadnock and enjoyed countless miles-long walking or bicycling adventures, always ending conveniently at a place that celebrated Happy Hour. Once the sun set, Fred was happiest with his wife at his side, Irish music wailing, and a cold pint in his hand.
Fred had an exceptional ability to forge connections with people from all walks of life, and a knack for making friends wherever he went. His warm smile, twinkling eyes, kind heart, and hearty laugh left an enduring impression on everyone he encountered. He also bonded easily with cats, dogs, donkeys, and snapping turtles, and his adventurous spirit even extended to inadvertently inviting chipmunks to run up his dungarees.
Later in life, Fred became affectionately known as "Fuddy" to his grandsons. He shared with them the boyhood charms of pocketknives and fishing rods, introduced them to the wonders of his well-stocked workshop, and gifted them with copies of his favorite books by Mark Twain. His devotion to his family was a thing of beauty, and his love for them knew no bounds.
Fred is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Janice (Cloran) Butler of Londonderry; daughter, Lani Voivod and her husband, Allen, of Gilford, NH; son, Frederick Butler and his wife, Kathleen, of Gilford, NH; grandsons, Joseph, Declan, Liam, and Finnegan; and sister, Jane Butler of Ayer, MA. He is also survived by a close-knit extended family and lifelong friends who will deeply miss his presence in their lives.
Calling hours will be held on Monday, October 9, 2023, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 11:00 am in St. Jude Parish, 435 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry, NH. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Fred to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284, or via www.dana-farber.org/gift.