The family of David R. Buteau, 90, is saddened to inform the community of his passing, early Wednesday morning March 10, 2021 at his home in Ormond Beach, Fla. He was a long-time resident of Walton.
David was born on Dec. 28, 1930 in Newport, Vt., to the late Rudolph and Bessie Buteau. It was there that he met his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, Patricia J. Kealey. They were married in Newport, Vt. on June 21, 1952. A graduate of St. Michael’s College, Winooski, Vt. in 1955, his college years were interrupted as he served his country as a commissioned officer in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.
David and Patricia moved their young family to Walton, in 1958 from Connecticut where he had served as a sales representative for Mobil Oil Company. He owned and operated Buteau’s Esso Service, ultimately becoming a franchised Dodge dealer in 1965. He was a long-time, respected local business leader.
David was involved in many clubs and organizations during his lifetime. He was a charter member of the Lions Club, member of the Kiwanis Club, the Club Royal, a member of the Walton Cruisers Car Club, he was a town councilman for the town of Walton and was on the Zoning Board of Appeals, a director of the Walton Cemetery Association, and a long-time member of the St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church. He was especially proud to be a member of the American Legion Truman C. Tobey Post #32 and their Honor Guard.
David was a true outdoorsman and taught all six of his children how to hunt and fish, and respect the land. He cherished the many poolside gatherings and bonfires from his home on Nichols Road and found great joy in the beautiful sunsets from his deck.
David is survived by four of his children; Kathleen Buteau Deslauriers and husband Maurice of Louisville, New York, Peter A. Buteau and wife Amy of Briarcliff Manor, Daniel K. Buteau and wife Cindy of Deposit, and daughter Denice Buteau of Ormond Beach, Fla.; grandchildren Kealey, Jessica, Christopher, David III, Tricia, Daniel, Adam, Tiphany, Amara, and Chadwick; 13 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews; and brother Bernard Buteau of Bethesda, Md.
He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia in 1999 and their sons Major David R. Buteau Jr. in 1986 and James J. Buteau in 2020; grandsons Alexander S. Buteau in 2009 and Shawn D. Buteau in 2017, and his brother Hubert Buteau in 1998.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 1, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 25 Benton Avenue in Walton with Rev. Edward J. Golding, officiating. Social distancing guidelines must be met, and face masks are required. Burial with military honors will follow at Walton Cemetery.
Arrangements are with the Courtney Funeral Home, Walton, where friends are encouraged to share their memories and offer condolences in person or online at www.courtneyfh.com.
