Obituary of Joseph Vincent Butler
After a life well lived, Joe passed away on Thursday January 25, 2024, at the Saint John Regional Hospital. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Sandra (Campbell) Butler in their 60th year of marriage.
Joe graduated from St. Malachy’s High School in 1959 and left for the seminary in Boston for what he thought was going to be his vocation; life had other plans. He came back home to Saint John within a year, married Sandra, the love of his life, and started the work of his heart at St Joseph’s Hospital as an Orderly.
He spent 40 years caring for, connecting with, and bringing joy and love to the patients and staff at St Joseph's Hospital. This was more than a job, it was his passion and a calling.
Joe was an active and curious person. He enjoyed tap dancing, football, bowling, badminton and square dancing. He was a dedicated Rover leader, CUPE representative, Simonds Minor Hockey executive, Mill Cove Food Bank Volunteer and Board member, Lay Minister at Mill Cove Nursing home and the Loch Lomond Villa. He was presented with an award from the Village of Cambridge Narrows for his volunteerism.
In retirement, Joe and his sidekick Sandra enjoyed their time at “Shangri - La '', their beautiful property at the Cambridge-Narrows and traveling the highways and byways in their trailer. During their travels, they took the time to stop and enjoy the attractions along the way. In the Narrows, they loved their community and the many friends they shared their time with. Their door was always open for guests near and far.
‘Grampy Joe’ could always be found in the summer months surrounded by his 6 grandchildren at their place in the Cambridge Narrows. Joe was always quick to tell anyone how proud he was of his grandchildren and his three children.
In the past two years Joe started a new journey as his kidneys failed and he required Dialysis. For most people this would be daunting, not for Joe. Three days a week he would ride the Handi-Bus with his new friends to ‘work’. He never complained, mostly because he got to spend time at a place that always made him feel at home, the hospital. He loved being in this environment, he made many friends with the staff and the other patients. It was a fitting end for Joe to be surrounded with people who could care for him the way he would have cared for others during his career. We are so grateful to the staff of the Saint John Regional Hospital Dialysis Unit who loved him, and treated us all with such care on his final day.
Joseph/Joe/Dad/ Grampy-Joe left a loving imprint on everyone he met. He was fun and funny. He knew so much about world issues and interestingly enough, the War of 1812. He was curious about everyone and everything.
Joe was the seventh child of James Vincent and Juliette (Rouleau) Butler. He was predeceased by his siblings and their spouses Raymond (Shirley), Alberta Buckley (Ervine), Arthur, Mary Butler, James (Nancy), Adrian (Judy) and Gerry. Also his mother and father in law Burton and Pearl Campbell who were like Second parents to him.
Joe is survived by his children: Elaine Shannon (Jamie), Polly Wilkins (Rodney), Gregg Butler (Stacy); his grandchildren Jillian Shannon (Stephen Butler), Adam Shannon (Hannah Bedard), Kelly Foote (Morgan), Nicholas Wilkins, Eric Shannon, Erin Butler (Diggy Naby), Sarah Wilkins (Tom), James Wilkins (Jenny) ; his sister Sr Pauline Butler, brothers Peter Butler and Michael Butler, sisters in law Dawn Butler, Rose Killen (Tom), Brenda Cooper (Phil); as well as his many nieces and nephews from the Butler and Campbell families.
Visitation will be held at Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB on Monday January 29, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 30 at 11:00 am at St. Ann's Church, 135 Simpson Dr, Saint John, NB. Interment will take place at a later date.
We invite you to join us for a light luncheon and refreshments following the Mass at the Simonds Lions Auditorium located at 185 Loch Lomond Rd, Saint John.
God Bless
Donations in memory of Joe Butler may be made to Romero House or Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation Kidney Dialysis Department.
