Roland Charles Butler
January 24, 1948  -  April 6, 2025
Obituary
On Sunday, April 6, 2025, Roland Charles Butler passed away peacefully at the age of 77 in Mashpee. Roland grew up in Needham with his parents Roland Vincent Butler, Mary (Calabrese) and his brother, Robert.
After graduating from Needham High School, he attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst before enlisting in the Air Force where he served for 4 years. Upon his return home, he attended Mass College of Art and Boston Architectural Center.
In the summer of 1973, on a whim, he decided to join his brother to work at the New Seabury Country Club on Cape Cod. It was there that he met Mary Agnes Gildea, the love of his life. They married in 1974 and had three wonderful children, Katie, Meaghan and Matthew.
In 1980, Ro and Mag moved to Connecticut where he attended Quinnipiac College and earned a certificate in health care administration. In the early 1990’s, Ro designed and built Bethel Health Care Center, a skilled nursing facility in Bethel, CT that focused on short term rehabilitation. He later expanded Bethel to include The Cascades Assisted Living and Outpatient Therapy facility. He dedicated himself to serving his residents and staff and took great pride in Bethel Health Care’s reputation for providing exceptional care in the community.
Roland was a talented artist, often drawing portraits of his grandchildren in his retirement. He took great joy in sharing his talent with his grandchildren and had just taught his 4-year-old granddaughter how to color in the lines. Ro loved his grandchildren beyond words and nothing made him happier than to be surrounded by them. His favorite days were ones spent in his pool, teaching the grandkids to swim or letting them jump off his shoulders. It was a right of passage to beat Gramps in a swim race.
Although a lover of all Boston sports, Ro kept a special place in his heart for the Boston Red Sox and was thrilled to attend Opening Day this year with his son, Matthew. He proclaimed it to be one of the best days of his life.
Roland is survived by Mary, his loving wife of 50 years, his children and their spouses, Katie and Mike Forde of Dedham, Meaghan and Andrew Miller of Westwood, Matt and Lara Butler of Medfield, and his beloved grandchildren, Michael, Connor, Emma, Rowan, Fionn, Maggie and Rory, who love him very much.
Visitation will be held at Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 74 Algonquin Ave. (Rt. 151) Mashpee on Friday, April 11, 2025 from 10AM-12PM with a Funeral Service at 12PM. Ro was a legend in his own time, and his family and friends are going to miss him terribly. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to The Red Sox Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 411217, Boston, MA 0224.