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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Donna M. Hamilton, a beloved mother, was born on December 27, 1943 in Kansas City, MO and peacefully passed away in the early evening of October 31, 2025. Donna’s faith guided her outlook to motherhood and to life. Donna grew up throughout the state of Texas. After graduating high school, her family moved to Washington, D. C. She eventually met and later married Vernon Hamilton (1930-2014); they had three children. Donna enjoyed participating in her church's events, embroidery, watching Hallmark movies, and most of all being with her family and friends. She had a beautiful smile and a kind, friendly personality that was noticed by everyone. Donna retired from New York Presbyterian Hospital after working as a Physician’s Assistant for over 35 years. She worked in the ambulatory surgery and plastic surgery departments, but her passion was in plastic surgery. Donna was phenomenal and highly respected in her field and often would be called upon to help the student physicians. Donna is survived by her three children: Scott, Melody, and Todd, an older brother, John Scott, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandson, Hamilton, who lived nearby, was often at her apartment visiting, going to the store for her when it became too difficult, or trying to keep her spirit up. Donna was loving, kind, charming, and unforgettable. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and she will continue to inspire us all. Two quotes that our mother always told us (and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren): “treat others the way you wanted to be treated” and “do not compare yourself to others because for always there will be greater and lesser persons than you.”
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CECILE OTTE PERNICA, 90, died peacefully on October 27, 2025. Born in Iowa, she lived much of her life in Wisconsin, graduating from Lawrence University in Appleton in 1957. Cecile had careers in public relations and marketing research upon moving to New York City in 1964. She was married to Joseph Pernica of Czechoslovakia who passed away in 2011. Together they conducted international and other marketing research for 10 years. She is survived by her brother David Otte plus many nieces and nephews in Massachusetts and Czech Republic. Services will be held at John Krtil Funeral Home on Monday, November 3, 5 PM - 8PM. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Church at 411 E68th St New York, NY 10065 on Tuesday, November 4, 10AM with a Private Burial.
John S. Bracken (82), of Eltingville, Staten Island passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 surrounded by love from his immediate family. John, more affectionately known as Jack, was born on November 28, 1942 on Staten Island to John and Evelyn Bracken. John grew up on Staten Island but spent most of his adult life in Manhattan and The Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York. While John was born a city man, he always heard the call of the wild deep in his heart. After spending many years in the city, he left for the peacefulness of the Upstate New York Catskill Mountain Range. There he spent his final years in harmony and total freedom, something he valued beyond words. As a young man, John served as a Paratrooper in the United States Army which was followed by a career in the FDNY during which he rose to the rank of Lieutenant. Throughout his life, John was a business owner, real estate investor, and restaurateur. One of his many ventures included being the proprietor of The Cathedral Cafe, a well established bar/restaurant on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, featured in both television and film. John married his loving wife, Maureen Elizabeth Murphy Bracken, on July 18, 1981 in New York City and together they shared 44 years of love and companionship. He is survived by his wife (Maureen Elizabeth Bracken, née Murphy), his daughter (Casey Elizabeth Ryan), his son-in-law (James Raymond Ryan III), and his grandson (James Raymond Ryan IV (JR)), his niece (Donna Bracken Albanese) and her husband (Jody Albanese), nephews (Richard Bracken JR. and Brian Bracken), great nephew (Richard Bracken III), and great nieces (Kristy and Jennifer Albanese).
Mary M. Terillo October 6th, 2025 Visitation Thursday, October 9th & Friday, October 10th 3:00pm-7:30pm Mass of Christian Burial Church of Saint John Nepomucene East 66th Street & First Avenue Saturday, October 11th 10:00am Burial Saint Charles Cemetery Farmingdale, NY Saturday, October 11th 12:30pm In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations in Mary Terillo's name. Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers P.O. Box 302 Maryknoll, NY 10545 (888) 627-9566 and/or Saint Francis Inn 2441 Kensington Ave Philadelphia, PA 19125 (215) 423-5845
Kelvin LaVerne (1937-2025) Kelvin LaVerne, 88, of New York, New York, died peacefully at home surrounded by family, on September 24, 2025. He was born in Bronx, New York in 1937 to Philip and Claire LaVerne. Kelvin often recounted his days playing stoopball, stickball, and other street games of the era. He lived blocks from Yankee Stadium and became an avid fan of the great teams of the 1940s and 1950s, sometimes watching the games and cheering with friends from a nearby rooftop. Born into a line of artists, Kelvin found his calling early on. His grandfather was a muralist, and his father, Philip, a talented, largely self-taught artist, who found success working and innovating in various materials, including glass, wood, and metal. As a teenager, Kelvin joined his father at the company Philip founded, producing works of both fine and functional art, including sculptured tables, mirrors, and wall-hangings. While busy working alongside his father, Kelvin also studied at the Art Students League and the Parsons School of Design, where he was influenced by the sculptor Seymour Lipton. By the 1960s, father and son had together built a successful business and were signing their works “Philip and Kelvin LaVerne,” which they sold in galleries and showrooms around the country. Letters of thanks and appreciation from clients filled the walls of their New York showroom, first on 57th Street, and then on Greene Street in SoHo. Seymour, Kelvin’s younger and only sibling, worked with the company in sales until he died tragically in 1967, far too young. After his father Philip died in 1987, Kelvin ran the business for another two decades. During this period, he produced mostly abstract, sculptural works. He cared lovingly and selflessly for his mother, Claire, who died in 2010 at the age of 94. Kelvin was a stalwart of the SoHo community for decades. In the 1960s, he and his father purchased a building on Wooster Street, where Kelvin worked for more than 40 years. He loved chatting with other artists and businesspeople in the area, eating in the local restaurants, and visiting the galleries. In 1967, Kelvin met Agatha, the love of his love, and wife of more than 50 years. They had three children and soon moved to the Upper East Side of Manhattan. They purchased a home in the community of Seaview, Fire Island, where they spent summers with their kids for many years. Kelvin loved the arts, movies, good food, photography, interesting people, and cats. As a younger man, he traveled widely. Full of insight into many areas of life, he was creative and creating until the end. Most of all, he loved his family – his wife, children (Sean, Darren, and Simone), their spouses (Vanessa and Cathy) and three grandchildren (Samuel, Teddy, and Nathaniel), all of whom survive him. Kelvin’s spirit and legacy will continue to inspire them, and all who had the opportunity to meet him in his long life. There will be a private service for family at King Solomon Memorial Park in Clifton, New Jersey. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Kelvin’s name to either of the following: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Donate | The Metropolitan Museum of Art Urban Cat League Donate – Urban Cat League – New York City ~ Dedicated to improving the lives of street cats everywhere