Charles J. “Butch” Cretara, Jr., age 82, passed away on Monday, October 21, 2024, at home with his wife by his side. He fought a courageous four-year battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Born on April 20, 1942, in Ossining, NY, he was the son of the late Charles J. Certara, Sr. and Julia DiPillo Cretara.

He was a 1960 graduate of Ossining High School where he excelled in sports, especially baseball. He dreamed of playing baseball for the New York Yankees organization and following high school, he was drafted to the New York Yankees Minor League team. He played in the Minor Leagues until he was drafted into the US Army in 1963 serving as a military police officer. He remained a faithful fan of the New York Yankees and the Green Bay Packers throughout his life.

After returning from the US Army, he began a career with law enforcement becoming a Police Officer in Mount Pleasant, NY. He retired from Buchanan Police Department, Buchanan, NY where he served as Chief of Police.

He married Judy Donzella on September 11, 2004, in Carmel, NY. Because of a love for golf and warmer weather, following his retirement, they moved to Little River, SC in 2007. When he was not golfing, he enjoyed visiting casinos where he mastered three card poker.

In addition to his wife, Judy, Butch is survived by sons, Charles Cretara (Rich), William Cretara, Anthony Cretara (Cynthia); daughters, Justine Cretara, Stacy Cretara-Gagne, Susan Mouris; stepson, Thomas Ammazzalorso; stepdaughter, Leah Ammazzalorso-Mitchem (Brandon); brother-in-law, Jay Donzella (JoAnn); 12 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother Dante Cretara (Patricia).

A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday December 1st, at Cortlandt Colonial Restaurant in Cortlandt, NY.

Please consider a donation to the pulmonary fibrosis foundation.

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