Barry Curtis Butson

BUTSON, BARRY CURTIS With heavy hearts, we announce his peaceful passing at home on January 24, 2018 in his 77th year after a stoic battle with prostate cancer. Barry is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 53 years, Donna (Beechey), and his beloved children Katherine (Greg Dickinson), Geoffrey (Kristi Williams), and Tanya (Jack Ing). Cherished Grandpa of and story-teller to Zoe, James, Willow, Curtis, and Lily. Special amigo to Ever Galvan. Baby Brother of June Wray and Ronald Butson (Anne). Admired brother-in-law of Florence Butson, Vance Day, Jean Culbert, Karen Draper (Wayne), Rob Beechey (Donna), and Joseph Beechey (Cheryl). Barry is also survived by many nephews and nieces and extended family. Predeceased by his parents Roy Butson and the former Myrtle Curtis as well as his siblings Irene Day, Lena Million (Jim), Leonard Butson, Myrna Butson (in infancy), mother- and father-in-law Margaret and Morris McMillan, brothers-in-law Richard Wray and Barry Culbert, and niece Carolyn Day. Born in Stratford, ON, Barry began his young life fully active in sports particularly baseball and hockey. At age 14, Barry was recognized as Stratford's Top Athlete. In later years, he played junior hockey for the Stratford Indians leading to offers of hockey scholarships from US colleges which he would turn down to attend UWO. He graduated from UWO with a BA in Economics followed by an MA in English. He began his career in journalism in the late 1960s working as a reporter at both the Sarnia Observer and the St. Catharines Standard. He received his teaching degree in the late 1960s and began his teaching career at Lindsay Collegiate and Vocational Institute. He then taught for 15 years at John Diefenbaker Secondary School in Hanover where he was Head of the English Department and Head Football Coach after resurrecting the team. In 1985, Barry accepted a position of Head of the English Department at Woodstock Collegiate Institute where he coached the football team. He retired from teaching at Huron Park Secondary School (Woodstock). Upon retiring, he concentrated on his true love of writing and began publishing books. His first book of poetry, East End Poems, was awarded the Milton Acorn Award, a national award, as Canada's "People's Poet". Since then he has published five more books of poetry and a memoire of his first year of teaching, Still Wet Behind the Ears. Barry was an avid and occasionally heated golfer who enjoyed going South to golf with Donna in the spring and fall; a vocal armchair quarterback for the ever-losing Bills; a passionate and often foul-mouthed surrogate coach of the Washington Nationals though perhaps less critical of them while attending their Spring Training games in Florida with Donna. While no longer playing, he enjoyed watching his grandchildren play hockey. A big pleasure of his, as a Habs fan, was to watch the Leafs lose for most of his life. Dad's love of baseball continued into his senior years when he played Old Timers baseball for Fritzies' well into his 70s. Outside of sports, Dad was happiest on his patio soaking up the rays, sipping a rum and coke with Jimmy Buffet in the background, and listening to the birds chirping about his favourite friend and cat, Humo. In the winter, you could find Barry and Donna scrapbooking pictures of their grandchildren of whom Barry was very proud. Most notably, Barry would be found with a pen in hand writing his newest poems or at his computer watching, buying, and selling his stocks. Impatient, sharply intelligent, sarcastic, humorous, constructively critical and lovingly supportive, forever Stratford boy, our lives are forever changed without him. Barry's family wishes to express deep appreciation to all those who helped provide care. Profound gratitude is extended to Dr. Nicholas Power for his exceptional care, understanding of, and friendship to our father. The gentle treatment of the angelic oncology nurses at LHSC will never be forgotten. We also wish to thank thoughtful and supportive neighbours, Russell and Tammy Chase. Friends and relatives are welcome to join the family at Brock and Visser Funeral Home, 845 Devonshire Ave, Woodstock, Ontario. Visitation Friday, February 2nd, 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 3rd, 1:00-2:00 p.m. followed by the funeral at 2:00 p.m. A celebratory gathering will follow of music, happy memories, and friendship for all to attend. Service will be officiated by Reverend David Carrothers. Cremation has taken place. Interment at Avondale Cemetery, Stratford, ON at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Barry Butson may be received by Brock and Visser Funeral Home and be made to LHSF (Prostate Cancer Research) or via www.lhsf.ca; Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre; or Sakura House. Personal online condolences can be made at www.brockandvisser.com

Visitation Details

Friday, February 2nd, 2018 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Brock and Visser Funeral Home

Saturday, February 3rd, 2018 1:00pm - 2:00pm, Brock and Visser Funeral Home

Service Details

Saturday, February 3rd, 2018 2:00pm, Brock and Visser Funeral Home