Phillips J. Butler

Phillips Butler, 88, of Clarks Green, died Friday evening at Geisinger Medical Center.

Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Odessa and Joseph Butler, a longtime sportswriter and editor for the Scranton Times.

A 1945 graduate of Scranton Central High School, he served in the Army in Japan and later earned a degree in photography from the Rochester Institute of Technology.Upon graduation, Phillips followed his passion for photography and spent the next 40 years as an award-winning staff photographer and, later, art director for The Scranton Times. He was well-known in the community for his pictures, especially those that he found during drives in the countryside throughout the area. His lengthy career as a Times lensman earned him many friends along the way.

For his work, he was honored by many organizations, including The Associated Press, the Pennsylvania Press Photographers Association and the National Press Photographers Association, where he also served as an national officer for several years. His many photographic awards include a President's Medal and the John Costa Award from NPPA and two Freedom Foundation George Washington medals. He was one of three generations of Scranton Times employees that began with his father, Joseph M. Butler, who worked as the sports editor for many years and his son, Tim, who also worked as a staff photographer for seven years.Phil was a longtime supporter and member of Local 177, the Newspaper Guild. After retiring in 1991, he continued his lifelong passion as a photographer, taking images into his 80s while pursuing travel and other interests with his incredible wife Jeanne and his family. He was an active contributor to Shamrock Publication's Good Times for seven years and frequent contributor to AA Grapevine Magazine.

After growing up in Scranton and Pittston, respectively, Phil and Jeanne raised their family in South Abington and later Clarks Green. As an avid member of the local newspaper community, many of his lifelong friends came through his Scranton connection and his association with The Scranton Times.

He was a kind and caring man who gave everything to his occupation, his family, his friends and his beloved pets. His gentle manner and his sense of humor tempered with empathy and compassion were a rare combination. His many interests included enjoying conversation, family life, reading, walking, taking drives in the country, being outdoors and attending to his faith.

He and Jeanne were charter members of St. Gregory's Church in Clarks Green and spent many summer days at both Lake Carey and, later, Chamberlain Pond in Wyoming County. He was a dedicated member of the AA community in Tunkhannock for over 35 years.

Phillips was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne, of 58 years in 2009. He was also predeceased by one daughter, Patricia; two brothers, Bruce and Joseph; and his sister, Virginia.

He is survived by two sons, Joseph and Timothy; and three daughters, Jeanne Holman, Cathy Donovan and Sharon Burke; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. from the Church of St. Gregory, 330 N. Abington Road, Clarks Green. All those attending please go directly to the church. Interment will follow in Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.

Friends may call Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit, PA 18411.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, S. Abington Twp., PA 18411.