PORTLAND, Maine – Louis Boydston Butterfield, 47, of Codman Street, died unexpectedly on June 29, 2010, at his home.
Lou was born on May 19, 1963, in Charleston, S.C., the son of Dr. James L. Butterfield and Joan O. Waldron. He grew up in New Berlin, where he enjoyed small-town life, playing little league baseball, and participating on the wrestling team. Lou was the valedictorian of the New Berlin Central School Class of 1981.
Lou graduated from Dickinson College with magna cum laude distinction in 1985, and he was a member of the Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maine School of Law in 1988, where he ranked second in his class. While he was in law school, Lou was a member of the board of editors of the Maine Law Review and worked as a legal writing instructor.
After graduation from law school, Lou settled in Portland and joined the law firm Bernstein Shur. In 1993, Lou opened his own law practice, and two years later he and Kurt Olafsen merged their practices to form Olafsen & Butterfield. After working at Bernstein Shur and Moss Shapiro from 2004 to 2008, Lou rejoined Olafsen & Butterfield. He practiced civil litigation with an emphasis on employment law and commercial and construction disputes. Lou took great pride in helping his clients solve problems they could not solve on their own. In addition to his law practice, he taught Employment Discrimination Law at the University of Maine School of Law.
Lou was a dedicated and loving husband and father. Spending time with his family was what gave true meaning to his life. His hobbies included collecting coins, woodworking, photography, writing, reading, camping, fishing, hiking, traveling, and riding his motorcycle. Lou attended Trinity Episcopal Church in Portland, where he served as a warden, junior warden, ember of various committees, and as a delegate to the Diocese of Maine. Lou was past- president of the Parkside Neighborhood Association and served for many years as class agent for the Alumni Association of the University of Maine School of Law.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 24 years, Michele Balletta Butterfield; and his daughters, Siena and Francesca, who were his pride and joy. Lou is also survived by his father, Dr. James L. Butterfield and his wife Christine Brunner of Norwich; his mother, Joan O. Waldron and her husband Claude of Sidney; his brother James E. Butterfield and his wife Kathryn and their daughters, Kristen, Rachael and Megan of Richmond, N.H.; mother-in-law, Maria Balletta of Port Washington; brothers- in-law, Brother Stephen Balletta, S.M. of Minneola, and Richard Balletta and his wife Maryel and their children, James, Erin and Faith of Bellerose Village and sister-in-law, Andrea Gullickson and her husband John and their sons, Matthew, Mark and Jack of Chicago, Ill. Lou was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Elaine Butterfield; and his father-in-law, the Honorable Vincent R. Balletta Jr.
Visiting hours were held on Saturday, July 3 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. A funeral service was conducted by the Rev. Lawrence Weeks on Sunday, July 4, at 1 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church. A reception at the church followed the service.
Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Louis’ guestbook.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Lou to the Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 580 Forest Avenue, Portland, Maine 04101.