NEW CASTLE No ifs, ands or Butz: He's applauded

Friends say he doesn't wait to be asked when offering his time and money to help organizations.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- John R. "Jack" Butz has quietly been giving his time and money to the community for most of his life.
Community leaders say it's time Butz got something in return.
The lifelong New Castle businessman will be honored May 2 with the city's first humanitarian award and a reception at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
"Basically Jack has been an all-around good citizen. Anything anybody needs, I don't care which organization it is, Jack is always there for everybody," Mayor Timothy Fulkerson said.
The humanitarian award will live on each year in Butz's name, honoring people who embody his spirit of giving and service, the mayor said. A scholarship in Butz's name will be given to a high school senior each year, he added.
Friends say the accolades are long overdue.
The quiet man: "I call him a secret servant in the community," said Mark Kauffman, part owner of Butz Flowers. "He serves the community in such a capacity. He doesn't do it to be recognized. He does it because he cares about the community. He cares about people."
Ever humble, Butz shrugs off the compliments.
"I give a lot because I have a lot. I love to give if there's anything in the community I can support," he said.
He also credits his parents, Paul F. and Florence Butz, as good examples.
Paul Butz, dubbed "Mr. New Castle" by many, was well-known for standing outside his shop and talking to everyone, said William G. Eckles, a local architect and long-time friend of Jack Butz.
"If you walked by, you wouldn't get by without talking to him. If there was another 'Mr. New Castle,' I would say it would be Jack," Eckles said.
Others agree.
"He's been so dedicated to New Castle and he's been one of the most honest people I've ever known. He's contributed to just about every worthwhile cause that's been undertaken in the city of New Castle," said Bob Jackson, a long-time friend and retired Vindicator New Castle reporter.
Jackson said Butz doesn't always wait to be asked before offering his help.
"My wife is a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. He [Butz] just volunteered one time, saying if they needed money to let him know and he would support it," Jackson said.
City enthusiast: Lester Hauschild, an area investment counselor and Butz's friend for about 40 years, said Butz has always been positive about the community, even when others were not.
Keeping Butz Flowers in the city is a good example, he said.
"That business could really be in any location, but he has chosen to remain downtown and remained an integral part of that area. That goes back to his nature of supporting the center of the community," Hauschild said.
Butz Flowers is celebrating its 150th year in the city. It's the third oldest florist shop in the country and was started in 1851 by Butz's great-grandfather Paul.
A small greenhouse in the Croton section of the city grew to a booming business -- with more than 60,000 plants -- when sons William T. and Frank P. joined the business by 1874.
William's son, Paul F., started working in the store at age 13. He continued working there with his son, Jack, until his death in 1968.
Jack Butz is the last member of the family to own the shop.
He said his two sisters and three daughters never showed an interest in the store and he took on Kauffman as a business partner in 1992. Kauffman has worked at Butz Flowers since 1982.
Butz said medical problems have slowed him down some, allowing him to spend only a few hours a day in the store, but he plans to continue being involved in the community.