Norman T

"Butch" O'Brien

O'BRIEN, Norman "Butch", 77 of West Belmar, NJ, formerly a resident of Ridgefield, has passed away on February 28, 2012 surrounded by his familly and friends. Butch leaves behind his daughter Kelly O'Brien of Weehawken, Catherine O'Brien of West Belmar, formerly Hoboken and his son Matthew and daugher in law Tracey Sheelen O'Brien of Ridgefield and their son Matthew Joseph O'Brien, Butch's first grandson, who he recently welcomed in July. Butch is predeceased by his loving wife of 42 years, Janice, who passed in November 1999. He leaves behind his sister Marilyn O'Brien Haynia and brother in law Richard Haynia. Nephews, Michael, James, Thomas, George, Jean and Daniel and their spouses and many great nieces and nephews. Born in the Bronx, Butch served in the US Army and worked for FW Shattuck and Company as a butcher rising to the rank of plant vice-president. When that business closed in 1977 he then went to work as a meter reader for Hackensack Water Company, once again rising thru the ranks to Division Foreman until he retired in 1999. He was a founding member of the Hackensack Water Emergency Response Team. In his retirement, Butch worked at West Belmar Elementary School as a Para Professional and then at Wall Primary in the same capacity. During his life, Butch volunteered his free time serving the children of Ridgefield. He served on the St. Matthew's Home School Association, the St. Matthew's Parish Counsel, the Ridgefield Boy's Athletic Organization, coaching baseball for over 25 years. He was very proud of the Connie Mack State Championship team he won as a manager in 1986. He also served on the Ridgefield High School Booster Club, raising money to help purchase uniforms and equipment. He was also the chairman of the Ridgefield Centennial Committee. Butch was also the recipient of several service awards, the Bergen County Condemmnation Certificate for Volunteer of the year in 1995, from the RBAO in 1990 for his long standing service, as well as one from the Ridgefield Girl Scouts. Butch died peacefully surrounded by his children, his sister and the friends he loved best from 17th avenue at his home in West Belmar, NJ. Funeral from the A.K. Macagna Funeral Home 495 Anderson Avenue Cliffside Park, N.J. on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 9:00am. thence to St. Matthew R.C. Church in Ridgefield where a Funeral Mass will be offered at 10:00am. Interment to follow at Madonna Cemetery in Fort Lee. The family will receive their friends Thursday 7-9pm. and Friday 2-4 and 7-9pm.