Obituary of Clyde W. Butz

GOUVERNEUR- Clyde W. Butz, age 89, of Gouverneur, passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at Gouverneur Hospital. Clyde was born on June 12, 1927 in Massillon, OH to the late William and Wilhelmena Butz. He graduated from Washington High School in Massillan, OH and then joined the United States Navy in 1945. After his honorable discharge, Clyde went on to Ohio State University, where he graduated in 1952 with a B.S. in Occupational Therapy. He then went on to the University of Nebraska, where he received a M.S. in Psychiatric Occupational Therapy. Clyde has worked numerous places in his life. From 1952-63 he worked at Norwich State Hospital, as the staff occupational therapist, senior occupational therapist and assistant occupational therapist director; from 1963-66 he worked at Nebraska Psychiatric Institute as the O.T Community M.H. Consultant /Co-Director NIMH Grant; 1966-69 he worked at Illinois State Psychiatric Institute as the Director of the Occupational Therapy Department; 1969-83 he worked for the New York State Office of Mental Health as the Director Bureau of Accreditation; from 1983-1990 he worked for the Central New York Psychiatric Hospital as the Director of Quality Assurance. Clyde has been a member of the American Occupational Association since 1952, where he was a former Vice President/Secretary/and Speaker of the House of Delegates. He has been honored by the Association twice, in 1966- Being named a Fellow and in 1982- he received the Award of Merit, which was the highest Association Award. Clyde has contributed his time to numerous organizations such as the American Occupational Therapy Association, Gouverneur Rotary Club, St. Lawrence Community Service Board, St. Lawrence Mental Health Sub-Committee, Masons, Elks and St. Lawrence Association for the Mentally Retarded. Clyde loved to travel and has visited 49 States and over 50 Countries. He also enjoyed needlepoint. Surviving is his wife, Judith; his three children, Jeff and Jane Butz, Linda and Peter Shea and Anita Hay; a step son, Joel Mattimore and two grandchildren, Becky Shea and Mark Hay. He is predeceased by a brother, Thomas Butz. Calling hours for Clyde will be on Sunday, March 19th from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur with a remembrance service immediately following at 2:00 p.m. with his son-in-law, Peter Shea officiating. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Donations may be made in Clyde's memory to the St. Lawrence NYSARC or to the Occupational Therapy Foundation.