Samuel C. Butler
Butler, Samuel C.
Adored husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, colleague and friend.
Born March 10, 1930, in Logansport, Indiana to Jane Flynn and Melvin Butler. Married to Sally Thackston on June 28, 1952 until her death in October, 2023. Sally and he had three children: Sam (Susan Jett), Leigh (Don Fowley) and Elizabeth (Liz) Boissard (Chris); nine grandchildren, whom they adored and who adored them: Eliza (Jake Hudson), Mimi (Alex Minasian), Alison and Henry Butler; Nick (Derek Blasberg) and Jesse Brown (Zach Jhonk); and Maggie (Larsson Burch), Anna and Sam (Britt) Boissard; and eight great-grandchildren: Rosie, Ben and Lea Hudson; Teddy and Josephine Minasian; Grace and Noah Blasberg-Brown; and Callie Johnk. Sam is also survived by 2 sisters, Jane Kahle and Anne Hoover and their three children Katie Connor and John Kahle, and Mindy MacAnally.
Sam graduated as valedictorian from Culver Military Academy in 1947, lettering in basketball and football; from Harvard College in 1951, Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, receiving a Sheldon Travelling Fellowship and lettering in football; from Harvard Law School 1954, magna cum laude, an editor of the Harvard Law Review, and the recipient of a Sears prize.
After clerking for Justice Sherman Minton of the United States Supreme Court and serving in the U.S. Army, he joined the New York law firm, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, in September 1956. Elected a partner in 1960, Sam served as presiding partner from 1980-98. His legal skills and sound business judgment also served him well as an elected director of several public companies. His involvement in educational and charitable activities included serving as a trustee for The New York Public Library (since 1978, Board Chairman 1999-2004); Vassar College (1969-77); the American Museum of Natural History (1989-93); The September 11th Fund (2001-04); Culver Academies (1981-2001). At Harvard, he was elected to its Board of Overseers in 1982 and served as the President of the Board for two years ending in 1988. He was also a member of several Visiting Committees, the Chairman of the Harvard College Fund, and a member of the Dean's Advisory Committee at the Law School from (1997-2011).
Over the years Sam received many awards, including the Learned Hand Human Relations Award from the American Jewish Committee; the Servant of Justice Award from The Legal Aid Society; the Lillian D. Ward Award from the Visiting Nurse Service of New York; the David T. W. McCord and Richard T. Flood '27 awards from the Harvard College Fund; the Harvard Law School Association Award; the Harvard Medal from the Harvard Alumni Association; and the Distinguished Service and the Man of the Year awards from Culver.
Most of all, he was the fearless leader of our family. Even with all his accomplishments and hours spent buried in a hardcover book, he always made time for us. Our many vacations included 3 safaris, white water rafting, the Galapagos, our National Parks, Tuscany, Hawaii and so many ski trips. He introduced us to Broadway musicals and a lifetime of their songs. Every Sunday there was a standing invitation to dinner at Lusardi’s or Chef Ho’s. We did Stave puzzles, made apple cider, ate vegetables from his garden, listened to his funny stories, and enjoyed his unique brand of mischief. The glass was always half full for Dad. He believed he could do anything he set his mind to and with the exception of mastering a foreign language (or carrying a tune) he pretty much did. And he always believed we could too. He was part of our lives for so long, and will be missed by everyone who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, the family would very much appreciate contributions to The Samuel C. Butler Historical Collections Endowment Fund at The New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018. A private service will be held at the New York Public Library at a later date.
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Pauline Torres
Alexander H. Beard, Jr Funeral Service Saturday August 29, 2026 St. Bartholomew's Chuch 2pm 325 Park Ave New York, NY 10022
Click Here For Live Stream of Viewing & Funeral Mass Henry "Imrich" Michtalik Visitation: Thursday July 9, 2026 2pm - 8pm John Krtil Funeral Home 1297 1st Ave (between East 69th St & East 70th St) New York, NY 10021 Funeral Mass: Friday July 10, 2026 10 AM St. John Nepomucene 411 E66th St New York, NY 10065 Burial: Gate of Heaven Cemetery Hawthorne, NY
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Peter A. Howland
Angelina G. Sepe Visitation: Friday May 15, 2026 3pm-8pm John Krtil Funeral Home 1297 1st Ave New York, NY 10021 Funeral Mass: Saturday May 16, 2026 10AM St. John Nepomucene 411 E66th St New York, NY 10065 Burial: Saturday May 16, 2026 St. Raymond Cemetery 2600 Lafayette Ave Bronx, NY 10465
Obituary for Carmela Ann Nardella Celebrating a Life of Love, Family, and Faith Carmela Ann Nardella, 81, of CT, passed away on April 19th, 2026 peacefully surrounded by her family. Born on September 23, 1944, Carmela was the beloved daughter of the late Carlo and Angelina Passarelli. A devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, she cherished her family and found her greatest joy in spending time with them. Carmela was known for her warm personality, kindness, supportive nature, Italian cooking, faith, strong work ethic, and her love of the beach, where she spent time with family each summer. Most important to Carmela were family holidays, her children and grandchildren's milestones, and celebrations. Carmela found the greatest joy in her endless support for her children and family, watching her grandsons grow up, baking and cooking with them, walks on the beach, and collecting seashells. She created lasting memories with each generation, making everyone feel loved and valued. She is survived by her three children and three grandchildren: Her daughter, Carolann Nardella; her son Anthony Nardella (wife Nicole); and daughter Andrea Nardella; and grandsons, Luke, Will, and Jake Nardella. She is also survived by her sister Carol Zerbo (husband Mike), as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Tomasina Passarelli and Joan Rammairone (husband Arthur). A funeral mass will be held on May 20th at 10:30am at St. Ignatius Loyola Church at 980 Park Avenue, New York, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Carmela’s memory to Alzheimer's Foundation of America , Memorial Sloan Kettering, or please simply share a favorite memory with the family. Click here for the following links to: Alzheimer's Foundation of America Memorial Sloan Kettering
Robert Heelan Viewing: Saturday April 25, 2026 9:30AM to 10:30AM The Oratory Church of St. Boniface 190 Duffield St Brooklyn, NY 11201 Funeral Mass: 1030 AM The Oratory Church of St. Boniface 190 Duffield St Brooklyn, NY 11201
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Viewing Monday April 6, 2026 1:00 P.M.-3:00 P.M. John Krtil Funeral Home 1297 1st Ave New York, NY 10021 Private Cremation