Local and state officials pose for a picture as former State Rep. Robert Butera is recognized for his past service and 90th birthday during a meeting on March 11, 2025 West Norriton Township Board of Commissioners meeting. (Rachel Ravina – MediaNews Group)
State and local officials honored one of their own earlier this week, recognizing former State Rep. Robert Butera just after his 90th birthday.
State Rep. Matt Bradford, D-70th Dist., state Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, D-17th Dist. and the West Norriton Township Board of Commissioners presented commendations to the longtime public servant who calls the Montgomery County municipality home.
Bradford visited the township chamber to pay tribute to “one of West Norriton’s most notable residents,” the “true gentleman” known as Butera.
“What an incredible life you have lived,” Cappelletti said, adding that “Pennsylvania is better because you live here, you work here and you serve here, and I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Butera responded in kind to the two state legislators, shaking Bradford’s hand and embracing Cappelletti with a smile. West Norriton Township Commissioner Roseanne Milazzo then read a proclamation dedicated to Butera.
“Whereas Robert Butera has dedicated his time, talents and energy to the betterment of West Norriton Township, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the community, and its residents,” the proclamation states. “And whereas, through his leadership, service and dedication, Robert Butera has played a vital role in fostering growth, unity and civic engagement within West Norriton.”
“Thank you so much. All I did was have a birthday, but this is a significant place for me,” Butera said as he addressed the crowd in attendance at the March 11 township meeting.
Butera emphasized his ties to the area as an “an American story, an immigrant’s story.” Born on Jan. 21, 1935 in Norristown, Butera was one of eight siblings in a tight knit family. His father came to the states from Italy in the early 1900s and his mother was Italian American, he said.
“We grew up in public service,” Butera said.
Butera graduated from Norristown High School and went on to obtain higher education degrees from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and Dickinson School of Law, now known as Penn State Dickinson Law, according to the Pennsylvania House of Representative’s archives.
After serving as a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Butera went on to practice law before entering the political fray. The Republican legislator was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1963 where he served seven terms, according to the House archives. He was also selected as the minority whip and majority leader during his time in office and acted as a delegate to the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention in 1968.
Butera resigned in 1977 and ran for governor, which proved unsuccessful when he lost the primary race to the eventual Republican nominee Richard Thornburgh in 1978.
“Bob actually is from the other political party that I am. When I mentioned Bob and his service to the Commonwealth, they all said that’s from a different time,” Bradford said of Butera. “There were truly gentlemen legislators and gentlemen like Bob, who understood bipartisanship and civility and politics was about policy and progress, not about the performative.”
“We were a different party. There would be no community college, for example, no vo-tech school, and I could go on and on that we as Republicans, progressive Republicans, made happen,” Butera said. “I’m now an Independent.”
In addition to practicing law, Butera was the president of the Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils hockey club for eight years, according to the House archives website.
“Bob is probably one of the best examples of a man who’s lived 90 years in service to a community that he’s so proud of that he has served so well,” Bradford said.
“Seeing the things that you have done, that you have been a part of, and the work you did in the legislature to make Pennsylvania better,” Cappelletti said. “Greatly appreciate what you have done and what you will continue to do. Here’s to many more years of Bob Butera and West Norriton. Happy birthday.”
Butera told The Times Herald following the March 11 meeting that gardening proved to be the secret to his personal happiness as he’s tended a two-acre garden at his home on Whitehall Road for the past 20 years.
“It’s so important to have a constructive hobby for people to retire,” Butera said, “I never have a dull day.”
In other business, the West Norriton Township Board of Commissioners was made whole once again when Harold “Hal” Halbert was sworn in to finish out the term of former Commissioner Judith Eckles. Eckles, who was first elected in 2017 resigned from her post as she moved out of the township. Notary Susan Devenny presided over the ceremony as Halbert was joined by his wife, former Norristown Area School District school board member Monica D’Antonio. Halbert will remain on the board until the term expires in January 2026.
