George “Butch” Dzama, age 79 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at home, surrounded by his cherished family and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.

Born on August 18, 1943, in Streator, IL, son of the late George and Pearl Schmitt Dzama, he was raised in Streator and had lived in Raritan Township for fifty-five years.

Graduating from Streator High School in 1962, Butch joined the United States Army serving honorably from 1965-1967, mostly in Germany, until he was discharged and returned home to the love of his life, soulmate, and best friend, Dian Canale.

Meeting Dian at the factory where they both worked as the shifts were changing, she smiled at him and the rest as they say, is history! Married at Immaculate Conception Church, Streator, IL, on July 8, 1967, their union would bring them three children, Joseph, Jennifer, and Brad, with Joseph passing away at birth in 1968, but his memory and love remaining with the entire family forever.

Jennifer and Brad credit their success in life to the upbring they received from Dian and Butch. Jennifer was, “Daddy’s Peanut” and he taught her to always be herself and to not let anything bring her down. From their trips to the Flemington Speedway to being there for every cheerleading and theater performance, they did it all, together. Brad credits his dad with teaching him how to be the best dad to his own kids by emulating the dad he grew up with. Butch taught Brad to always be himself as well, and to speak softly but carry a big stick. He was present for everything; there was never a little league or football practice or game that Butch missed, and he eventually took on coaching for the South Hunterdon Little League to spend as much time with Brad as he was able.

Time was a gift Butch gave everyone. He gave it freely and always reminded his children how important and valuable a commodity time truly is.  When he was promoted to “Pop-Pop”, Butch ensured that his grandchildren knew they were loved and cared for on every level. With Tanner passing away at birth in 2006 and joining his Uncle Joseph in heaven, Pop-Pop ensured that Trevor, Taylor, and Taryn not only cherished each moment of life but lived each moment as well; many happy memories were made over the years during the annual summer vacations at Beach Haven on Long Beach Island, NJ.

A Union Carpenter for more than forty-three years with Somerville Local #455, Butch was known as, “Everybody’s Carpenter” as he would do carpentry jobs for family and friends all the time. His skills were legendary, and he truly was a master of his craft who used his gifts to help others however he was able.

In addition to family time and carpentry, Butch was an avid Dallas Cowboy’s and New York Yankee’s fan. He also enjoyed stock car racing and the memories made at the Flemington Speedway will always be fondly recalled by his family. Above all else though, he took pride and joy in keeping his lawn pristine and mowed it daily.

President Abraham Lincoln once said, “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Butch Dzama is a living testimony to this ideal and to honor him is to live your own life using your God given talents to help others. Rest in the sweetest peace that you have truly earned Butch…

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Joseph in 1968; a sister, Marilyn Traeger; a brother, Robert Dzama; a grandson, Tanner Dzama; a nephew and Godson, Lee Sember; and his faithful canine companion, Blue.

Surviving is his wife of fifty-five years, Dian Canale Dzama; his daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Tom Orr; his son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Joanne Dzama; his grandchildren, Trevor, Taylor, and Taryn Dzama; his sister and brother-in-law, Joanne and Vern Bailey; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Janet and Steve Johnson; his nephew, Jeff Sember; his canine companion, Brady; several extended family members; and many dear friends.

Family and friends will gather on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, from 10:00 – Noon, in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

Life celebration services officiated by Certified Life Celebrant D.J. Wright will take place at Noon at the funeral home and to which all are welcome. Interment will be private.

You are encouraged to visit Butch’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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