Eric Gray Butler

Eric G. Butler, age 97, of Lynnfield, formerly of Holden and Rockport, died Tuesday, November 5, 2024. 

Born August 9th, 1927 at Boston City Hospital. He was the son of Eric G Butler and Alma (Spencer) Butler. 

Eric graduated from Boston English High School and served two years in the US Army, stationed in Germany. He graduated from Boston University on the GI Bill and took a job at Liberty Mutual as a Claims Adjuster. From Boston, Eric was transferred to Bridgeport CT, where he met Elaine McGrath on a blind date. This was the start of 65 years together. They were married on October 4th, 1957

Elaine and Eric started their family in Connecticut before moving to Lexington, Massachusetts in 1966. In 1974, they moved to Holden, Massachusetts where Eric continued his career at Liberty Mutual until being recruited in 1977 to join the fledgling Commerce Insurance Company (now Mapfre Insurance) as their General Claims Manager. Eric was instrumental in helping to grow that company into the largest auto insurer in the state of Massachusetts and one of the largest employers in Worcester County. He retired in 1992 as a Senior Vice President of Claims. 

While proud of his career, he found his greatest reward as a husband and father. He was a master solver of the most devious crossword puzzles, an avid reader of mysteries and crime novels, and contributed to many charities. 

Eric was predeceased by his beloved wife Elaine in 2023. He is survived by his son, Mark S. Butler and wife, Eileen T. O’Neil, of Boston, MA; his daughter, Lauren L. Butler of Salem, MA; his nieces and nephews: Carroll S. (McGrath) Hood and husband, Richard Hood, of Amherst, MA; W. Tod McGrath and wife, Maureen (Salazar) McGrath, of Hingham, MA; Katherine E. (McGrath) Smith and husband, William L. Smith, of Warwick, RI; Kevin P. McGrath and wife, Sarah (Connell) McGrath, of Denville, NJ; Patrick D. McGrath and wife, Christina (Ross) McGrath, of Griswold, CT; and Kristin A. (McGrath) Pine and husband, John J. Pine of Warwick, RI. Eric was also predeceased by his brother-in-law William J. McGrath, Jr., and his wife, Jacqueline (Carroll) McGrath of Kingston RI; his brother Ralph G. Butler of Saugus MA; and his sister, Virginia C. Butler of Saugus MA.

Funeral Services were private. Arrangements were in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home, Wakefield.