Visitation will be held on Friday, July 24, 2020 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Walker Funeral Home.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter's Church with burial to follow in the parish cemetery.

PLATTSBURGH— Plattsburgh Sports wont be the same ; Gary J. Butler, 79, of Beekman Street, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at his home surrounded by the love of hisfamily.

Born in Plattsburgh on July 30, 1940 the son of Wilfred and Blanche (Recore) Butler.

Gary was a graduate of MAI, and received his master's degree from Plattsburgh State.  Gary was a Guidance Counselor and Coach for many years at Beekmantown High School, coaching baseball and football. He also coached baseball for the Post 20 team and lead them to a State Championship in 1968, and was a volunteer coach with the Plattsburgh State Cardinals until the time of his death.

He was a proud member of ThePlattsburgh State Alumni Association, Plattsburgh State Baseball, Plattsburgh State Hall of Fame, New York State Teachers Association, and Basketball Referee Association.

He loved his sports and scoutedfor the Pirates, Mets and Expos Baseball teams. He was an avid New York Giants, Yankee and Notre Dame football fan. In Gary's spare time he enjoyed playing golf with his friendsand watching local kids play sports.

Gary, known as Gramps loved spending his free time with his grandchildren. He also was theunofficial presidentof theBreakfast Club,enjoying time spent with his buddies.

Our beloved Gary, Dad and Gramps leaves behind the love of his life : Mary Benjamin Krakowski of Plattsburgh;Proud children , son John (Lori) Butler; daughters, Elizabeth (Walter) Haig, Julie (Brian) Ferdinand; Beth (Michael) Shaughnessy, Tammy (Sam) Shastri; brother Phil Butler; son-in-law Gerry Gauer; sister in law, Jan Butler.  Gramps toEmily and Julia Haig, Andrew and Jackqueline Butler, Evan, Aiden, Addison and Samantha Gauer, Evan Ferdinand , Patrick(Marianne) Shaughnessy and Devan Shastri; great-grandchildren, Emma and Benjamin Shaughnessy; a niece and two nephews, and so many dear friends.

Gary was predeceased by his parents, and brother Larry Butler.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later date at St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh. The family will announce the time as soon as we know . Entombment will be in St. Peter's Cemetery.

The Family would like to thank Dr. Duus, Dr. Vaccaro and their nurses for the care he received, the Community Hospice and all of the people who reached out to us in this difficult time.

Donations may be made to the FitzPatrick Cancer Center, Plattsburgh State Baseball, Hospice of the North Country, Beekmantown Central School Athletics.

To share a condolence with the family, please visit, www.rwwalkerfh.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted into the care of the R.W. Walker Funeral Home, 69 Court Street, Plattsburgh.