QUEENSBURY -- Harold R. "Butch" Levack Jr. of Queensbury passed away peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014, at Glens Falls Hospital surrounded by his loving family following a long illness.

Born Feb. 24, 1943 to Harold R. and Mary Theresa (McDonnell) Levack, he was the youngest of 14 children. He attended St. Mary's Academy in Glens Falls through eighth grade before moving to Michigan with his family. He graduated from McKenzie High School in 1960 and attended Wayne County College in Detroit, Mich.

Butch served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1964. He was justifiably proud of his military service, serving as a cryptologist communications technician. After completing a challenging technical training program at Keesler Air Force Base, he was assigned to Strategic Air Command (SAC) Bomb Wing at Loring Air Force Base in Maine and subsequently to Headquarters Seventh Air Division at Royal Air Force Station High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, England, at the height of the Cold War during the Bay of Pigs.

After discharge from the service, he worked for Campbell-Ewall Advertising Agency and C.J. Rogers Transportation Co. until returning to Glens Falls.

Butch attended Golfsmith Clubmakers School in Texas and was proprietor of his own business making and repairing golf clubs. He was an avid golfer and was invited every year to participate in the Canadian Golf Invitational.

He was an active member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 81 and was honored in 2002 as Elk of the Year. He was also a member of American Legion Post No. 0574 and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Butch enjoyed the friendship of everyone who knew him. His outgoing personality drew people to him, particularly when he took the Karaoke stage to perform his show-stopper, "Sweet Caroline." He was an astute Jeopardy contestant, despite having never appeared on the program, because his vast knowledge on so many subjects was amazing to watch.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by one sister, Frances Foley, and two brothers, John and Donald Levack.

Butch is survived by his sisters, Teresa Bainbridge of Queensbury, Constance E. Adams of Queensbury, Catherine Levack of Queensbury, Lucy (Earl) Flynn of Michigan, Mary (William K.) Quick of Michigan, Norah (Richard) Corning of Michigan, Noel Hennesee of Shelby, Mich., and Edwina (Ronald) Godek of Michigan; brothers, R. Paul (JoAnne) Levack of Queensbury and Joseph (Christine) Levack of Ohio; many loving nieces, nephews and cousins; and his companion of many years, Patricia Brown.

Relatives and friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, at Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804. The B.P.O.E. No. 81 will observe the Lodge of Sorrow at 5 p.m. at the funeral home.

A memorial service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 20, 2014, at the funeral home, followed at 11 a.m. by interment with military honors at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery on Duell Road in Schuylerville.

The family would like to thank Dr. Greenhouse and the staff of Glens Falls Hospital Tower 5, especially Danielle, for the compassionate care they gave Butch and his loved ones in his final hours.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations go to the Glens Falls Elks Lodge No. 81 Scholarship Fund, 32 Cronin Road, Queensbury, NY 12804-1419.

Condolences may be mailed to Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804 or e-mailed through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.