Butwid, James W.

James W. Butwid, 81 of Fairport, NY passed away peacefully on January 10, 2023, at The Fairport Baptist Home.

He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara (Hendrick) and parents, Walter and Eleanor.

Jim is survived by his daughter; Sandra (Gary) Herington; grandchildren; Colin and Kylie, siblings;

John (Mary) and Michael (Sharyn), and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jim was born on August 12, 1941, in Rochester, NY. He grew-up near Pulaski Park in the city where he attended St. Andrews Catholic School. As a teenager, he moved with his family to Webster, NY. He wrestled and ran track during high school. Jim graduated in 1960 from Webster High School. 

Jim met the love of his life when attending The Rochester Business Institute school, Barb, they were married on September 14, 1963, and began to build a life together in West Irondequoit. A few years later they had a daughter, Sandy. He was a kind and loving husband and father. His family was of the utmost importance to Jim, and he certainly did not disappoint when it came to wholeheartedly loving his family.

Jim was a beloved husband, father, and friend. He was so proud of his grandchildren. His grandkids called him, “Poppy”. He enjoyed going to their school and sporting events. Poppy was their #1 fan. 

He was a child at heart and joked around and told the kids silly stories. He made up games to play with the kids and their favorite was huckle, buckle, bean stalk. 

Jim had been employed as a Lithographer for 34 years and retired from Case-Hoyt on a medical disability.

He was a parishioner of St. John of Rochester Church and a member of The Knights of Columbus Council #15917. He volunteered regularly as a eucharistic minister at the Crest Manor Living Center. Jim belonged to the American Legion Cottreall-Warner Post 942. He was an active member on the Resident’s Committee at The Fairport Baptist Home.

Jimmy enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. He shared his passion with others, teaching fly tying classes and demonstrating fly fishing techniques. Jimmy had an enormous collection of tackle, tying material, books, rods, and reels. His work has been featured in local newspapers and tv. In later years, Jim found joy in bass fishing, he was crafty and made his own jigs. “The Brown Buck Tail jig” was his specialty. Over the years, Jim has made hundreds/thousands of them. He shared his craft with friends and family and sold them in local bait and tackle stores. Jim was a catch and release kind of guy unless he was ice-fishing, then he kept the perch for a home cooked fish fry. 

His favorite place to travel was the Adirondacks. From dawn to dusk, Jim would fish the AuSable River. Jim always had a story to share about his river adventures. 

Jimmy had a variety of favorite past times. He liked DIRT car racing and he and his buddies would travel to Dundee/Weedsport to watch the races. He came home covered in dust head-to-toe, you knew he had a good night. Baseball was his sport and was at the top of his TV list. Jim and his wife loved going to the Rochester Red Wing games. As season ticket holders they made good friends and shared historic moments with them at the park. Jim enjoyed the ballpark food and occasionally had a hotdog or two or three. A Buffalo Bills fan, he was convinced this was the year they will win the Superbowl. Jim loved to cook and used his family as taste testers. He liked spending time meeting new friends, traveling, concerts and dancing. His transistor radio always was tuned to country music or talk-opinion shows. He looked forward to bowling weekly in the nursing facility and sparked a renewed interest in painting, Jim had artistic talent.

Visitation will be January 17, 2023, at Keenan Funeral Home from 4 pm – 6 pm, 7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd., Fairport, NY 14450.

Funeral service will be January 18, 2023 at 10 am, St. John of Rochester, 8 Wickford Way, Fairport, NY 14450. Lunch immediately following in the church.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The American Heart Association.