Butyn, John Anthony “Chuck” – Age 81, Lake Fletcher, passed away due to a final stroke on April 20, 2019, in the Halifax Infirmary, QEII Site, surrounded by loved ones. Born in Krabbendijke, The Netherlands, John survived the Second World War and immigrated to Prince Edward County, Ontario when he was seven years old with his parents, Matthias and Jana, and sisters, Francis, Marsha, Kay, and Janie, while sister, Pi remained in The Netherlands.
At age 18, he joined the Air Force and was one of the first Non-Destructive Radiation Testing inspectors in Canada which eventually launched a successful career in the private sector.
He was introduced to his wife, Phyllis, in Fenwick, Ont., through her brother John (also in the Air Force); John Butyn was like another brother and father to Phyllis’s seven younger brothers and like a son to her mother, Margaret. While in the Air Force, he lived in six provinces and eventually settled in Lake Fletcher in 1985. Known for his homemade quirky inventions such as the first toggle-switch mute button, two-seat bicycle, go-cart (the Butyn Rocket), a Bell utility van that was converted into a camper van (the Blue-Assed Baboon), and personal wood carvings, you never knew what the next invention would be. He was a man of few words, but a man of principle and would not suffer fools gladly. A devoted and loyal family man and good neighbour, he enjoyed, from his quiet corner of the couch, close family get-togethers with lots of food, music, and laughter.
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years of marriage, Phyllis (Murray); sisters, Pi, Marsha, and Francis; children, Linda, Suzan, and Tony; grandchildren, Shane, Matthew, Maggie, Thomas, Luke, and Mark; great-grandchildren, Elnora and Elwyn. He will be sorely missed and forever in our hearts and minds.
Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 23rd at 11 a.m. in St. John’s United Church, Fall River, with Rev. Dr. Sally Shaw officiating. In lieu of gifts and flowers, please donate to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia and/or QEII Health Sciences Centre Foundation as a thank you for the excellent care he received in the Neurology Ward 7.4 during his final days.
Arrangements are under the direction of Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, Upper Musquodoboit.
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