Long Island Man Found Dead In Lake George

A 61-year-old Long Island man was found dead in Lake George Saturday morning a day after he went missing while paddleboarding, police in upstate Ticonderoga said.

Michael J. Butler III, of Patchogue, became separated from his paddle board Friday evening about 40 yards from the shore on the Baldwin Road side of Lake George, Ticonderoga Police Department Chief Michael LaVallie said in a statement.

A search for Butler by multiple agencies was suspended Friday night and resumed Saturday morning. A Warren County Sheriff’s Office Scuba Unit found Butler's body in about 8 feet of water in the area where he was last seen, police said.

Butler's widow, Diane Butler, told Newsday that her husband was "a very active water sportsman, and unfortunately, this is probably the 1 percent of the time he went out on the water without his life vest. He always goes out with his life vest on.”

Butler was the director of facilities for the Amityville School District. Amityville Superintendent Mary Kelly released the following statement:

The Amityville School District is saddened to learn of the passing of our Director of Facilities Michael Butler. Mr. Butler was a respected member of our staff and he will be missed. His leadership and experience within the facilities department was invaluable to our district. Mr. Butler was well-liked and respected by his colleagues and always went out of his way to help others. He will be remembered for his warm, caring and friendly disposition. The Amityville School District community extends its deepest sympathy to Mr. Butler's family and loved ones.

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