Unforgotten BHS ' 74 Graduate

1956 - 2024

Joseph Patrick Colligan  

Joe was born in Butler and graduated from  Butler High School in 1974. He so much wanted to attend his 50th class reunion this fall.

While growing up, Joe always dreamed of being on stage, he often kept his family and friends laughing at his original skits, jokes and imitations. In his high school years, he landed on the stages of Butler High School, where he shined in "Barefoot in the Park," "1776," as Charlie in "Flowers for Algernon" and Pellinore in "Camelot.". 

Paul Gaudino ~ BHS '53 ~ 35 Years of Butler Fitness

† September 6, 2022

You kept us, and later the nation, in shape. Thanks, Paul, for all those years of discipline and dedication.

Domenick Fratto ~

44 years ago this morning, we lost an amazing man... my father. I remember the day well . . .

Bruce Fratto

Miss USA ~ 1971

Michele McDonald

Our Butler Beauty

Photo: Miss Universe Organization

†23 January 2020
Obituary

Donald B. Carlson Sr. BHS '38

† 8 September 2010

Donald Carlson sent me some of the first pictures posted on the Butler Blog. As a tribute to him I have posted the pictures he sent me. Click the label Photographer Don Carlson below. -- Charles

After graduating from BHS Don Carlson worked as a newspaper photographer, while earning his private pilot's license. Anxious to join the service, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 7 July 1942. He served as a flight engineer for the 10th Weather Headquarters in the China-Burma-India Theater, flying over the Himalayan Mountains (The Hump) and throughout China, Japan and Korea. He was a member of the CBI/Hump Pilots Association and was a 50-year member of the Butler Masonic Lodge. Don served faithfully with Community Companion Volunteers, a program of Lutheran Home Services.

A Butler Physician ~

Dr. Robert T. Eckert

He was the Good Doctor for so many of us.

† 28 April 2014

Judge John H. Brydon ~ Slippery Rock HS '48

† May 2011

Judge Brydon practiced law in Slippery Rock and Butler from 1959-82 and served as district attorney from Butler County from 1964-82. He then served as Common Pleas Judge for Butler County from 1982 until 2005.

Patrick BHS '44 and Charles BHS '42 McCarren ~

† 8 September 2012

† 11 February 2013

Photos: Butler Eagle

They kept our Butler ladies in style. We would go into the store on Main Street not only to buy clothes but to spend a few moments talking to these loved and respected personalities.

Dottie Randolph ~ Protector of our Children

Dorothy Randolph

† 12.28.2005

Dottie Randolph had about 300 youngsters crossing at her intersection at First and Brady Streets. She also worked intersections on Jefferson Street and Chestnut Street. Butler children, now grown-ups, thank her still. 

Photo: Butler Eagle

Major General Robert L. Smolen ~ Knoch '70

Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert L. Smolen, who grew up in Butler, oversees the nation's arsenal of nuclear weapons. He is the deputy administrator for defense programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration. He sees to the safety and reliability of the nuclear weapons stockpile and the readiness to test and develop new warheads, if required. 

† 18 May 2014

Rich Saul BHS '66

  †  15. April 2012

Magnet '66

 Rich and his twin brother, Ron, starred on BHS football team. After playing in college they went on to play in the NFL.

Beloved Butler Citizen ~

Photo: Butler Eagle

+ 23 March 2012

Abie Abraham

Butler's Hero

Ronald Stutz BHS '52

                                          
+ 4 November 2010

Ronald Stutz BHS '52 was a very talented basketball star on the BHS team from '48-'52 and was one of the first to make the varsity team while only a freshman. He also played football. He was a member of the 1950 Butler High School football team that won the WPIAL Championship with a perfect 12-0 record. After high school he went on to play football in the US Army where he earned MVP honors.

Wilbur Glenn Dumbaugh ~ BHS '45

+ 22 July 2010

It was his voice. We knew him as a business man. But his true love was music. He had a rich baritone voice and was in demand as a soloist. His voice graced many a choir here and in Western Pennsylvania.

Richard Strange ~ Butler County Symphony Conductor

†December 2009

Richard Strange was conductor for the Butler symphony from 1965 to 1974. He was our third permanent conductor.

William Lehnerd ~ "Uncle Bill" ~ Teacher ~ BHS '48

+ May 27, 2009
We have lost a beloved dramatics teacher and friend.

Mary Hulton Phillips ~ Butler's Philanthropist

She gave us the 
Meridon Museum 
 . . .  and shared with us the beauty she loved.
† January 19, 2009

William Morgan ~ Esteemed Butlerite

+ November 30, 2008
Bill Morgan started his career as an entrepreneur as a small boy delivering newspapers in Meridian, where he walked up and back a half-mile lane, all for two cents per paper. He ended up with a chain of 52 restaurants serving Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio.

Thomas Rutkoski ~ BHS '62 ~ Evangelist

+June 7, 2011 

Butler Evangelist who founded Gospa Missions. Thomas Rutkoski is a speaker in demand in churches throughout the world. His Mission has grown to include worldwide retreats, conferences, prison ministry, healing ministry, speaking engagements, publishing and humanitarian efforts. His books have had inspired many to conversion.

Butler's YMCA Swimming Coach ~

John. F. "Pump" McLaughlin
† March 28, 2004
Swimming teacher, coach, mentor, friend.
Left: Eric Namesnik, right: Alice Ann McLaughlin, Pump's niece.

[photographed in front of the YMCA]