Obituary of Bill Buttrey

Buttrey, William H. “Bill” Bill Buttrey passed away peacefully at the Carveth Care Centre in Gananoque Ontario on Monday June 8, 2020. His wife of 70 years this month, Eleanor (Malloy) was with him. He was in his 99th year. Bill was father to Mary (Clive) Card and Yvonne (Michael) Scott. Father-in-law to Maria Buttrey. “Biddie” will be missed by grandchildren Liam (Kelda), Breanne (Andrew), Austin (Maljorie), Ella (Nate), and Grayland. Great grandchildren include Elodie, Esmé, Ryker, Arya, and Aidan. ‘Uncle Bill’ is fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews. Pre-deceased by his parents, William and Margaret (Bunke), his brother Jim, sister Marlene Broser, and his son, ‘Jim’. Bill was born in Toronto, Ontario in 1922. From a young age Bill was active in many sports – from swimming and softball to hockey and gymnastics. He was competitive, and he was good at everything he tried. He was a natural, and set the bar high very early -- to become a national champion. His athletics were no less important than his studies. Bill’s graduation from Eastern Commerce Collegiate in 1939 was marked by winning the Accounting Medal for being top of his class, and an ‘Eastern School Letter’ for his participation, and contributions in school athletics. After high school, he took up paddling and joined the Balmy Beach Canoe Club in 1941. In 1942, Bill joined the Royal Canadian Navy stationed in Halifax, then assigned to the HMCS Uganda as Petty Officer, and ship’s accountant for service in the N. Atlantic and the Pacific. 1945 saw Bill back in Toronto, and at the Balmy Beach Canoe Club, where the quest for that ‘National Championship’ began in earnest. Three years of dedication and training yielded results. The 1948 National Canoe Championships were being held in Ottawa, and Bill won gold in the ‘Tandem Canoeing’ event, and went on to claim first in the North American Championships (Sugar Island) in the same event later that year. The other major accomplishment in 1948 was his Chartered Accountant designation. In June of 1950, Bill married Eleanor Mary Malloy, who he had met in Halifax. In 1954, they moved to Gananoque to open an office of ‘Ward & Buttrey, Chartered Accountants’. In addition to building a very successful accounting business, Bill was also active in the community, and of course, in local sporting opportunities. He became involved with the Gananoque Canoe Club in 1956 and by 1958, was Commodore, while also acting as Secretary to the Canadian Canoe Association. In 1963, Bill formed the Handball Club in Gananoque. As a new sport in town, Bill provided instruction for teens and adult members, thus providing recreation and entertainment until 1972. In addition to sport activities, Bill served as treasurer for the Half-Moon Bay Association, and Grace United Church. As a member of the Gananoque Rotary Club for many years, he served as president from 1968 to 1972. Bill retired from business in 1987, but stayed active on many fronts. He was an avid bridge player, a cut-throat gin rummy strategist, and a merciless cribbage counter. He loved poetry, the outdoors and his family. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the exceptionally professional and loving staff at ‘Carveth’. Dr. Brian Hart, Dr. Christine Miller and Dr. Brian Price have also been instrumental in his care. Thank you all for your dedication, and your exemplary service. A Family Graveside Gathering will be held at the Gananoque Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Gananoque and Area Food Bank or Ducks Unlimited.