Anthony Spalla Obituary

Butch, it's hard to believe that you've been gone for 14 years already but you are still very much still in the hearts and memories of all your friends and family and are missed much by all...rest easy my large friend!

Butch...It's been one year since you left us. I miss you so much every day, it still brings me to tears. I'd give anything to hear your voice again. I just wanted to tell you once more before this guestbook goes offline that you meant so much to me. I know you're my angel, I can feel you around me sometimes. I miss you, Butch.
The world isnt the same without you in it.

Butch....my memories of Butch Spalla, Uncle Ed O'Reilly,night school at ETHS, breaks at S&P, gurking Mickey's big mouths at Lomar,waking up at Keeney pier(how did we get down here?) Kaz's, the path, all the Dukes at my first wedding, the Sneak,(and then on to the Mark II) Cine's, the Tally-Ho, the Public House, PM Club, EPD'S, the Deck, Lunt Liquors, Jarvis Liquors,(Jarvis delivers!) Marty's Rocket 88, Roger's Riveria, down on the rocks at Lee st. and many more episodes that I can't even remember! Butch, you were the large blond haired Odin, Gorka the Great, beer drinking thunder God of South Evanston! we stood in awe of you as we watched in fascination as you drained ridiculous quantities of Budweiser Beer down your massive Viking like frame. We all worshipped the great God of Anhueser-Butch during our nightime pagan rituals. Now you are in Vahalla with our other dearly departed Brother Greg Collins(the Archduke of Alcohol) you are both no doubt enjoying large goblets of fine Ale and watching down over us. Butch, my life has definitely been richer and fuller having known you all these years, and I am proud to have been able to call you my friend! We just reconnected a short time ago and I had planned on us spending some quality time together and possibly reliving some of our misspent youth...But that will have to wait for now...I love ya big guy and I'll miss you something terrible, but just for old times do you think I can ask for just one more favor? can you and Greg save me a few Beers? your friend always-Brian.

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Butch...
I can say nothing other than I MISS YOU...so much...every day.

You know what you meant to me. I will never EVER forget you.

Butch.
You were the intellectual that made us all ponder life. Now you do it again.
I will never forget the 1992 triathlon we were in.

Tally Ho.
Respectfully.
Jimmy Gleespen.

My heartfelt condolences to Butch's family. He will be missed by all who knew him. He was a wonderful man with a warm smile and a heart of gold.

Butchie you will be truly missed! I will carry 32 years of fond stories and memories, from Clyde Street "Butch's" Park to Track Side, close to my heart! Butch you are that, once in a life time, big man that carried enough heart to give a piece to everyone that crossed your path! Our deepest sympathies go out to the Spalla family and to all of those fortunate enough to get close to Butch.

Love,

Bob & Linda Hill

Butch-
The Spalla's have suffered many losses of bright, wonderul, big hearted, fun loving men at such young ages.----Cathy and I were planning on a family reunion of all the cousins--We are saddened that it won't include you--Wish we could all have re-connected sooner...Hope we still do and your spirit is with us.....

Blessings and sympathies,

Cam and Tim --(Uncle Tommy's kids) and Aunt Donna

Everytime we came back to town, we would stop at Trackside to see Butch. He always made us feel good. We will miss him - it won't be the same going back to Illinois and not seeing him.

My sincere condolences to the Spalla family.Butch taught me a whole lot about computers that will remind me of him forever.I'm so sorry he had to leave us so soon.He was alot of fun and knew alot about everything.He will be missed by all.

My Dear Brother in law, you always gave me a kiss and a great big hug everytime you saw me. You were the one that said jokes at our family gatherings and then you would laugh the loudest. You will be missed dearly. I am sorry that Kian didn't get a chance to know his uncle Butch better. We will always carry you in our hearts as you "plunge into the sea of light in the world of mysteries." -Sahba

My memories of Butch? Many! Just to name a few:
7 yard passes on third and ten
Blackhawks and yes the strike is over
Adventures in Milwaukee
Dinners in Black River Falls
Opening day phone calls from Casey's
Breakfasts in International Falls
Rods, reels ,hats overboard
Classic old music
He touched us all in ways he will never know. He is and will be missed.

My Dear Butch,
You had a heart of gold! Your fantastic sense of humor,your incredible wit,you were so talented especially with that deep voice will be missed by everyone who knew you.
There was just something so extraordinary about you,it was so special,it's as if you were an addiction,you were to me.
You made this world laugh and brought happiness and cheer to everyones lives.
I will catch that musky that put all those big teeth marks in our suckers and have it mounted for you one day.,.Awe Butch why did you have to go so soon?
My tattoo of my "B for Butch"on my arm,has always been my symbol of love for you forever,and now it's going to be even that much more special to me.(ok you can proof read this after i'm finished-thanks for all your smarts,too!)You were the one and only Butch...my Anthony Spalla,my heart is so heavy now and i think i've cried a whole new river(can you please fill it with some perch,walleye,northern pike and muskies, please?)
My Family and I Will Always love You Butch!! It was an honor to know you and to have you in my life!
To the whole Spalla family,please accept our sincerest sympothy for the loss of one of the greatest men in this world.Butch you will be missed!
Love,Forever, Silvia

At Tally-Ho... Always knowing there was a chance at playing "Celebrity Wienie Toss" on Wednesday nights. There would always be plenty of Sinatra and Fab T-Birds on the juke box. At the end of the bar there would be the best hug a friend could ever need. I will miss you Anthony. I will adore you always. My sympathy to the Spalla Family

I will always remember and miss my friend of 27 years. His laugh would fill a room & his heart was as big as the great outdoors. We were lucky to have him in our lives. He was taken much too soon. Butch was the genuine article. He spoke his mind. There will never be another like him. Thank you Butch for all the good times. We will love you always.

The Spalla Family Patriarch....what are we to do without you? Thanks for walking me down the aisle on my wedding day. The memory of your roaring laugh gets me through each day. Thanks for treating Daren and Erica so very special. We will treasure your memory forever. Rest in peace, my dear brother. Love you beyond words..your grateful sister, Diane

Butch, I will always remember the love you showed to my children. The times on the golf course will also never be forgotten. we would give each other advise on our games, like we really new all of the ends and outs. I remember most, that upon meeting for the first time, it was as though you had always known me. I will miss you.

Uncle Butchie, you are one of the best uncles. I remember when you would take me and Daren fishing and how I didn't want to put the worm on the hook and you would always help me. You were very funny and you always made me smile. I love you so much and I will never forget your smile!!!! Love your niece, Erica.

Butchie from way back. Never have friends like the friends you have when you're 17. I remember you always, Butch. Playing pinball at Kaz's. Eating Funyons, drinking RC Cola, and playing pinball. I have always carried you in my heart, and I always will.

My dear big brother, you will be missed. I love you!

Here's to you Butch: for always making me feel welcome when I walked in; for always greeting hundreds of us by name, over the years, with that big, booming voice of yours; for the millions of times we laughed, (and the few times we cried), for your unwavering loyalty to your beloved Blackhawks; for knowing where to get the best burritos by the United Center; for the joy you found in Damon Runyon's stories and the music at the Green Mill Lounge; for your determination to finish the NY Times Sunday crossword puzzles; for studying Italian in anticipation of riding your bike through Italy; for you and Dale spending hours on putting together my screen door and pronouncing it finished, even though there were about 15 parts left; thanks for all the memories. You could talk to anyone, anytime, about anything. The world's going to be a lot less interesting without you in it. You were loved and you'll be profoundly missed. My deepest sympathies to the Spalla family in this most difficult time. Tu paisana con amore, Mac

Butch, what a legacy you are leaving, your friends have made this easier for us with the stories they tell. In so many ways you were a very rich man. Keep your eyes on us big brother.

Love,

Corky

Butch was a favorite during his working years at Employees Life. Then I used to run into him on the golf course once in a while, and his smile is what I will remember

My grandparents were among Butch's fans. We all were. It is too young to have him gone to join his mother. Jerine was a pillar or our company -Employees Life.

A big teddy bear and a great guy, you will never be forgotten.
Our deepest sympathy to the Spalla Family. The Hayes' - Bill and Patty.

Nicole, Sorry for the loss of your Uncle.

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Ode to Butch:

The big lug
took a tug
at our hearts.
In the Trackside,
far and wide,
his words and actions
kept the factions
at peace.
Cubs vs. Sox.
Obama vs. McCain.
Country vs. Rock.
Sober vs. Insane.
It takes all kinds.
Butch took to it all.
He was a walking thesaurus.
Never bored us.
Golf swinging,
Vacation fishing,
Cigar smoking,
Grand Marnier sipping,
Crossword puzzling,
Movie watching
Friend.
Thanks for the memories, Butch.

Sympathies to the Spalla family.
Love,

Uncle Butchie, we will miss you like crazy. I will forever hear your laugh! Love you

Nicole

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.