Edward G. Butwell

NAUGATUCK- Mr. Edward George Butwell, 95 of Naugatuck, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014 at the Beacon Brook Health Center. He was the husband of the late Henrietta S. (Biernecki) Butwell who passed away in 2006 after 53 years of marriage.

Edward was born in Naugatuck, Nov. 10, 1919, a son of the late George and Elizabeth (Galinot) Butwell and was a lifelong Naugatuck resident He was educated in the Naugatuck school system and was a graduate of Naugatuck High School, where he was a member of the track and field team as well as practice team for high school football, under Peter Foley his coach. After High School he had worked at several jobs before he enlisted in the U.S. Army to fight for freedom from tranny in WW II. He was a member of the 5th Army and rose to the rank of Sergeant. He was in the signal corps and mortar team. He was part of the North African Campaign to defeat the Germany Africa Corp and General Rommel. His next assignment was to land on the beachhead of Anzio, Italy and pushed to cut off the retreating Berman Army. He endured months of shelling from the Germans on the beachhead until a final push was made toward Rome. When the war ended he returned to Naugatuck.

Edward then went to school to be a printer attending school in New York City for “Line-A-Type” printing. Following graduation, he returned to work in many of the local newspapers companies including, Perry Press, Naugatuck Daily News, and Waterbury Republican-American and worked for the New Haven Register for 30 years, until his retirement in 1981. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the Anzio Beachhead Assoc., Crusader Post # 1946, V.F.W. and loved to fish for trout, garden and visit family. He was also an avid cribbage player and often would be seen defeating opponents at the “Old Corner” in Union City. His skills in cribbage netted him the nickname of “King Crib” which he was proud of. He played up until his passing, still defeating his opponents till the end.

He leaves a son, Jeffery and his wife Donna, their sons, Jeffery and Nicholas and his son, Thomas and his wife Patricia and their daughter Shelby Lynn.

A private service with burial in Grove Cemetery with full military honors will be held at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Naugatuck is assisting the family with the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517.