Ernest &Quot;Ernie&Quot; C. Butki

July 1, 1941 — October 9, 2007

Ernest Carl ButkiJuly 14, 1041 - October 9, 2007Ernest Carl Butki, affectionately known as "Ernie", dearly loved by family and many friends, passed away at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital at 11:30pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2007, with his family gathered around him. He was 66 years old, born in Detroit on July 14, 1941, the fourth of seven children of Julius and Clara Butki. Raised in Detroit, Ernie lived his entire life in the Detroit area. He and Margo Novara were married in 1969 and moved to Lake Orion in 1972, where they made their home until his death. Their home was open to many friends who became like family, and a favorite hang-out place for their sons and friends through the years. Ernie's diagnosis of malignant brain tumor in April of this year called together their circle of family and friends who took pleasure and honor in providing whatever support they could as he made his way through his cancer journey. Even as his body was declining, Ernie called together and inspired a group of like-minded friends and family, challenging them to define and affect changes needed in the world: "thinking globally and acting locally." The group was termed "CM6" for Critical Mass 6, relying on Gardner's multiple levels of intelligence. His continued challenge to these friends and family is to carry this on.Ernie's sense of humor never failed him all the way through his battle with cancerfrom anticipating looking like a blue "smurf" when he was scheduled to take part in an experimental drug trial which would turn his body blueto responding to Margo on his last day when she leaned close to him and said "the best is yet to come". Ernie quipped "Are we having another baby?". . . Having his children was indeed the best for Ernie. The pleasure multiplied with the birth of his granddaughters with whom Ernie made a point of spending special and every day time. His sons claim, for all the fun he was as a dad, his softness came to the fore for his granddaughters.Ernie and Margo raised four sons during their thirty-eight years of marriage. He was an exceptionally hands-on parent, taking time to have fun with and involve his boys in activities and teaching them skills. The rules of the home were very simple: don't hurt yourself or someone else or someone else's property. Beyond a very few things termed "non-negotiable"everything was negotiable, if the children could articulate a reasonable rationale. Even more, he and Margo made family dinners a priority as the boys were growing up, which was a time for full family discussion, and each of the boys were expected to participate. These were challenges Ernie lovingly gave his children early on. Ernie did love to challenge people. Not only in playing devil's advocate in philosophical or political discussions with friends who came roundbut also at his work.Ernie's work was a labor of love. He worked as a teacher -and educator in the fullest sensewith at-risk youth at Oakland County Children's Village for forty years, preceded by working with a similar group of youth at Camp Oakland. Ernie will always be remembered by his colleagues and friends at Children's Village for his great mind, his contagious sense of humor and his passion for reading and debate. He challenged his students daily to read, think and problem-solve. His lifetime dedication to teaching impacted everyone young and old. He was one of a kind.Ernie's work with at-risk youth was work which Ernie chose to do. His many degrees would have opened doors to him at a multitude of places, but which he used to enhance his teaching with his chosen population. Ernie acquired a number of degrees over the years, including Bachelor of Arts degrees in Philosophy and English, Masters of Arts degrees in English and Teaching (with a double major of Special Education for Emotionally Impaired and for Learning Disabled students). In addition, he earned a PhD ABD in Reading and Computers. Over the years he also worked as the Director of Reading Clinic at Oakland University and a college lecturer in Philosophy at University of Detroit.He is survived by his wife Margo Novara Butki, his four sons Jason Butki, Nikolai Butki (wife Bryn), Nathan Butki (wife Melissa) and Drew Butki, three granddaughters Maryn and Gabriella (children of Nate and Missy), and Tavi -and another child due in February (children of Nick and Bryn). Of his six siblings, he is preceded in death by his two older brothers Richard Butki , and Arnie Butki of California. He is also survived by his sister Rosemarie Lidstone of North Carolina, his sister-in-law Jo Anne Butki (wife of Arnie Butki), his sister Arlene Pipesh of Shelby Twp, MI, his brother Jerry Butki of Wyoming and Bonnie Wells of White Lake Twp, MI. Ernie is also survived by his "buddies-in-law", Ernie's affectionate name for Margo's siblings and their wivesJoe & Rosalie Novara, Gasper & Janet Novara, Roy & Sue Novara, Paul & Karen Novara, Bob Blackburn, and Jim & Linda Novara, as well as numerous beautiful nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by Margo's sister Joanna Novara Blackburn who also passed away from cancer. At the time of her death, her children, Sean and Patrick, were very young. Assisting their father, Margo and Ernie made a special place in their lives for Bob and Joanna's children. And finally, Ernie is survived by a huge group of friends who quickly became part of his extended family.The gathering for Ernie will be at Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home, 111 East Flint Street, Lake Orion, MI 48362, on Thursday, October 11th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., and Friday, October 12th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 715 N. Lapeer Road, Lake Orion, MI 48362, with viewing at 10:00 a.m., and mass held at 11:00 a.m. Friends are invited to join the family for a luncheon after. (location pending).

Memorials:

CHildrens VIllage School

Visitations:

6:00PM to 9:00PM on Thursday, October 11th, 2007 at Lake Orion Chapel of the Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home (map/driving directions)

3:00PM to 5:00PM on Friday, October 12th, 2007 at Lake Orion Chapel of the Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home (map/driving directions)

7:00PM to 9:00PM on Friday, October 12th, 2007 at Lake Orion Chapel of the Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home (map/driving directions)

Services:

In-state at 10:00AM, Service at 11:00AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Saturday, October 13th, 2007 (map/driving directions)

Cemetery:

Private
, (map/driving directions)

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