Armando J "Butch" Spagnola

Armando Joseph  ”Butch ” Spagnola, 74, passed away peacefully at RWJUH in Somerville on Wednesday July 26, 2017 with his loving family by his side. Born in Passaic, he was the son of the late Joseph and Helen (Russo) Spagnola.

Upon graduating high school, Butch attended Potomac State College in West Virginia, and then the University of Bridgeport where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching. On August 21, 1965, he married the love of his life, Jacqueline Oufiero. It was a love affair that would last nearly 52 years.  After stints as an assistant football coach in Paterson and West Orange High Schools, Butch became the head football coach at Dunellen High School. He would spend 17 years coaching, teaching and mentoring not only the players on the Destroyers football team, but those on the wrestling, track and girls basketball teams as well. You didn’t have to be an athlete for him to be a mentor to you, his door was always open if you needed to talk. Butch had a second career in steel construction, he was a member of United Ironworkers Local 361 in Brooklyn. He was employed by Steelco in Sinking Spring, PA,and at Mid-Atlantic Steel Erectors Inc. in Roselle Park, NJ for a total of 32 years. After retirement, Butch loved to spend his time playing golf and fishing. He was a huge Giants and Yankees fan, and he loved to eat his wife’s cooking.  His retirement also gave him time to volunteer at St Johns Church in Dunellen. More than anything, Butch loved his family and in later years relishing the role of devoted grandfather. He will be deeply and sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. He touched many lives and the lessons he taught will never be forgotten.

Besides his parents, Butch was predeceased by his brother Benjamin. He is survived by his beloved wife Jackie; his devoted children, son Ralph and daughter Suzanne Tolomeo and husband Gerald, his cherished grandchildren, Angelina and Jacqueline Spagnolo, and Matthew, Joseph, and Gianna Tolomeo. He is also survived by his sister Phyllis Celia as well as by many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, July 30 from 2:00-4:00 and from 7:00-9:00pm at the Sheenan Funeral Home, 233 Dunellen Ave in Dunellen. A mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 31 at 10:00AM at St John The Evangelist Catholic Church in Dunellen with burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Piscataway. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Butch’s name to St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church 317 First St Dunellen NJ 08812.

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