Obituary of Donald P. "Don" Butner

On January 5, 2018, surrounded by his loving family, Don joined his beloved wife of 58 years, Dee, for their long awaited reunion in Heaven.

Born in Hudson on January 16, 1929, son of the late Clara Holdridge and Arthur Dunigan. He served with the 11th Airborne Division of the Army as a paratrooper in the post WWII occupation of Japan.  He married Dolores Ciaccia in 1950 and began his lifelong journey as a family man. He went on to a long and successful career in various fields of sales; most notably as a manager with Montgomery Wards in Menands, Johnston City, Colonie, and Niskayuna.  He later went on to many years of success in the real estate business with Century 21, Blackman and DeStefano, and finally Realty USA, where he was recognized for his outstanding accomplishments in sales.

He led an active life of service within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. He was a valued member of the Residents Encounter Christ (REC) program and was a true Christian role model living out the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. He and his wife, Dee, were active members in the Cursillo Community as well as the parish life at Corpus Christi Church in Round Lake. They often referred to Corpus Christi as their second home. Don was a PKG and Fourth Degree member with the Knights of Columbus Council #10869 and active in their charitable activities. Don’s greatest gift was his capacity to love. He loved his job, his church, his friends and his family. His legacy of love lives on in those he has left behind to carry on. These include his four children Patricia (Dennis) Eldridge of Glenmont, Kathleen (Robert) Stiffen of Schenectady, Donald (Patricia) Butner, Jr. of Porter Corners, and Kelly (Mark) Leverone of Castleton, beloved Papa to 11 grandchildren (Matthew and Ryan Eldridge, Amy Slingerland, Robert and Joseph Stiffen, Christopher Doherty, Steven Butner, Jacob, Becca, Sarah, and Ethan Leverone) and 8 great-grandchildren, beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the compassionate staff at The Teresian House for the Elderly in Albany  for providing a loving and supportive home for him in this final leg of life’s journey. Calling hours will be held from 4-8pm on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at Catricala Funeral Home, 1597 Route 9, Clifton Park. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Corpus Christi Church in Round Lake on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 11am. Internment will be at Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery in Glenmont.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to The Teresian House Infant of Prague Chapel, 200 Washington Ave Ext. Albany, NY 12203 or Residents Encounter Christ, 228 Settles Mountain Rd. Cobleskill, NY 12043