Richard Jarisch Butterfield
Obituary
Richard Jarisch Butterfield, 71, died Monday March 27, 2023, at The Edward M. Poe Hospice Care Center in Titusville, Florida.
Richard was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Joseph and Claire Butterfield (nee Jarisch) on July 30, 1951. He grew up in Holyoke, Massachusetts, attended local schools, and received his associate degree from Mitchell College in New London, Connecticut. Richard joined the Navy and was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois. After his service, he lived in Coventry, CT, and worked as a jet engine inspector for United Technologies/Pratt and Whitney for 40 years. In 2006 he married the love of his life, Rachel Prescott. When retirement beckoned, they pursued their dream and retired to St. Thomas, USVI.
Richard was one of a kind – funny and little off center. He was fiercely loyal to his friends. Richard was always the first person to volunteer to help you out, no matter what the need. He loved to make people laugh and he loved rock n’ roll music in equal measure. Richard had a special affection for animals (especially his dog “Almost”, and cat “Poppy”). Among his favorite places to be were the family beach house at Groton Long Point-in Connecticut, working anywhere outdoors, and enjoying the beach at Crystal Cove, USVI. His sense of humor, imagination, and wholehearted embrace of life leaves a space that will be impossible to fill.
Richard is survived by his wife Rachel Butterfield of Titusville, Florida, his brother Joseph Butterfield and his wife Linda of Rochester, Minnesota, sister Nancy Dornenburg and her husband Jeff of Simsbury, Connecticut. His nephews Joe, Mike and Brian Butterfield, Nick Dornenburg and his wife Kaitlin, Tyler Dornenburg and his wife Kim will all remember their goofy, fun-loving uncle with a smile. He is also survived by his great nephew Colin Dornenburg and great niece Isabella Dornenburg.
The family requests that the next time you buy a scratch-off Lotto ticket you think of Richard
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