W. Bryce Butler
Wilfred Bryce Butler, 95, of
Canterbury Hall, Riverview and formerly of Lindsay, Ontario, passed
away peacefully on Thursday, February 18,
2021.
Born in Oakdale, Ontario, he was
the son of the late Alonzo Harold and Mary Elizabeth (Huffman) Butler,
and brother to Helen McGuire and the late Mary Tofflemire, Bob,
George, Ted, Lee, and Dick Butler.
A proud Navy veteran and retired
schoolteacher, Bryce enjoyed learning and sharing his passions with
others throughout his life, including woodworking, which he taught
during many summers at Berwick United Church Camp in Nova Scotia;
gardening, from the gooseberry bushes he tended in his yard in North
York to the violets he continued to grow in Royal Court; and playing
cards, spending hours playing with friends and family, and patiently
teaching bridge to countless people over the years. He was an amazing
baker—his pies were always in demand at family
gatherings—and a talented square dancer, who travelled all
over the continent with Dorothy to participate in events. Bryce loved
music, and played piano, organ, recorder, clarinet, autoharp, and
harmonica. He especially loved to make music with others, whether
performing as part of an ensemble, encouraging his grandchildren and
great-grandchildren to sing and play with him, or accompanying
sing-alongs at Royal Court on his harmonica. In addition to his many
talents, Bryce will long be remembered for his compassion and care for
others, shown through his involvement in his church community, his
time volunteering to care for people with dementia, and his genuine
interest in and concern for the many friends he made over the
years.
Bryce was predeceased by his
dear wife of 68 years, Dorothy Lillian Butler (née
Atkinson). He will be deeply missed by his daughters, Rev. Dawn
Griffiths (Robert) of Charlottetown, PEI and Rev. Susan Butler-Jones
(Rev. Boyd Drake) of Aylmer, QC; grandchildren, Rev. Torrey Griffiths
(Angela) of Emerald, PE, Braden Griffiths (Charlotte) of Lunenburg,
NS, Bronwyn Butler-Jones (Jordan Hovdebo) of Winnipeg, MB, Evan
Butler-Jones (Christina) of Ottawa, ON, Meghan Butler-Jones (Evan
McMillan) of Warman, SK and great grandchildren, Alaura, Caraline,
Faith, Gavin, Nikki, Elliana, Eva, Ben and James. And by dear friends
Bonar and Beulah Morton of Ford Bank NB.
A memorial service will be held
at a future date, when it is possible to gather, to remember and
celebrate Bryce’s life. Interment will be in Zion
Presbyterian Cemetery, West Branch, NB.
Arrangements entrusted to
Fergusons Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton
(858-1995).
In
memory of Bryce, donations to St. Paul’s United Church,
Riverview, NB (www.stpaulsriverview.org), where
he was a member, Zion Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, West Branch
NB (pccweb.ca or
a memorial of the donor’s choice would be
appreciated.
Online condolences for the
family may be shared on Fergusons Funeral Home (Moncton) Facebook Page
or at
www.fergusonsfuneralhome.com
Click here to View Condolences
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of W Bryce Butler 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Moncton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick