Leland "Lee" Henry Butts, of Baldwinsville, New York, age 86, passed away at home in the early morning hours of July 9, 2023.

Lee was born January 13, 1937, in Antwerp, New York, to Henry Calvin Butts and Vera C. (Myers) Butts. He had two older sisters, Lorena and Geraldine. Lee spent a large part of his childhood on his sister Lorena's farm. At the age of sixteen, Lee began his nearly fifty-year career in the grocery industry as a bag boy with Loblaws, later acquired by P&C Foods. Lee stayed with them until his retirement in 2002. With his ambition and work ethic, Lee rose quickly within the business and came to manage several grocery stores across Central and Upstate New York. After retiring, Lee worked part time as a limousine driver where he encountered legendary figures, including Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim, Yankee Richard "the Goose" Gossage, and Jerry Seinfeld. When he wasn't rubbing elbows with celebrities, he loved to ski the slopes of Titus Mountain Family Ski Center in Malone, New York.

On May 6, 1981, Lee married his beloved wife, Ann. While living in Plattsburgh, he and Ann participated in a couples bowling league. They continued to play in many leagues, winning a few when they moved to Baldwinsville in 1991. In addition to bowling, Lee was a relentless golfer, claiming a certified hole-in-one in his career, and playing-with pride-well past his eightieth birthday. He loved teaching his family the game and he looked forward to every year's family golf tournament. He was a fierce supporter of the Yankees, and took every opportunity to watch or attend a game with his family. He was a season ticket holder to Syracuse football games, where his combination grill-cooler was the envy of the tailgate crowd.

Lee is survived by his wife of forty-two years, Ann (Ginty) Butts; his three daughters: Nancy Monette and her husband Bruce of Malone, Deidre Zaccone of Newburgh, and Monica Spampata of Washingtonville; eight grandchildren: Ashley Lanciault and her husband Brian, Patrick Reinisch and his wife Jaclyn, Bruce Monette III, Lillian Smith and her husband Michael, Cyrus Clark, Veronica Monette, Jack Clark, and McHale Clark; and two great-granddaughters: Isla and Kennedy Reinisch.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated for Leland on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 9:30 am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.

In lieu of flowers, Lee's family asks for donations to be sent to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in support of the School of Cameroon.

St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 3494 NY-31, Baldwinsville, NY 13027