July 4, 1960 — December 4, 2024
Olean- Daniel J. Butchello, Jr. “Loving Brother & Uncle”
Daniel J. Butchello, Jr. of 140 ½ S. Clinton Street passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
D.J. came into the world with a bang on July 4, 1960, in Olean and was the son of Daniel J. and Stephanie A. (Rieger) Butchello.
D.J. was a 1978 graduate of Olean High School where he was a gifted student. He attended Cornell University and later received his Bachelors of Business Administration degree in Finance from St. Bonaventure University in 1992. D.J. also excelled in athletics and was an especially fearsome competitor on the football field. He was a member of the undefeated 1977 Olean High School Football team that was ranked #1 in New York State and was named to the Big 30 All-Star Teams in both football and baseball.
D.J. was born into the restaurant business, proudly following in the footsteps of his grandfather Guerino (Butch) Butchello, father Daniel J. Butchello, Sr., and uncle Gerald Butchello as well as many other aunts, uncles and cousins. He served the hospitality industry for over 40 years, most notably at the landmark Castle Restaurant. He later opened the Hall of Fame Café on N. 4th Street in the L’Alcove Restaurant building originally opened and operated by his grandfather in 1937. D.J. served many additional roles in the local industry and was inducted into the Olean Hospitality Wall of Fame in 2019. D.J. continued to serve area restaurants for several years as a successful food service sales representative for Maplevale Farms until his retirement at the end of 2020.
D.J. is survived by his three siblings; Guerino A. Buccella of Allegany, NY, Michael V. (Ann) Butchello of Spring, TX, and Marie A. Butchello of Williamsville, NY. He is also survived by his beloved nephews and niece; Gregory Butchello of Washington, DC, Andrew Butchello of Dallas, TX, Benjamin Phillips of Tampa, FL and Grace Phillips of Williamsville, NY.
D.J. also had a “second” family. He had great admiration and respect for the men and women who have served our country and was a social member of the Olean American Legion Post 530, where he enjoyed spending time with his many close friends and assisting in any way he could with Legion functions. Every 4th of July he would traditionally work a one hour shift behind the bar serving up drinks to the other Legion members. It cannot be overstated how important his friends and companions at the Legion were to him, and in what high regard he held them.
D.J. was predeceased by his parents, Daniel J. and Stephanie A. (Rieger) Butchello.
A private service will be held for the immediate family. A celebration of D.J.’s life will be held at a later date to be announced. Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Olean American Legion Post 530 at 307 E. State Street, Olean, NY 14760.
