The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

Broadcast Pioneers member John L. Butterworth, Jr., 80, of Blue Bell, PA died on Sunday, December 16, 2007 at Mercy Suburban Hospital in East Norriton. He was the husband of 54 years to Anna May (Palovcak) Butterworth. Born in Philadelphia, PA on November 7, 1927 to the late John L. and Helen (Stahl) Butterworth, Sr., John was a graduate of Frankford High School, the Virginia Military Institute, and Temple University with a degree in Electrical Engineering.

He was a veteran of the US Army with rank of Corporal serving during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He served with Company E, Manhattan District, Santa Fe, NM. Butterworth achieved a brown belt in karate and climbed Mt. Fuji while in the military. John was the President of Audio and Visual Communications Inc. of King of Prussia for nearly 30 years until retirement.

He was a former radio and TV broadcast engineer for Channel 6 in Philadelphia. He was Dick Clark’s audio engineer when he was on WFIL radio in Philadelphia and also operated TV audio for the American Bandstand show on WFIL-TV. His company accumulated many awards and accolades for their work; they also did various work for the US Government. AVC was named as one of the top 100 independent audio visual producers in the country for years 1996-7.

He was a member of the Broadcasters Foundation, and Epiphany of Our Lord Church in Plymouth Meeting. Besides his wife Anna May, he is survived by 4 children: John L. Butterworth, III of Jeffersonville, PA, Marianne H. Butterworth of Green Lane, PA, Dr. Michael R. Butterworth of Laurel, DE, Richard M. Butterworth of Lansdale, PA, and 8 grandchildren.

The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com