Christopher Frank Butler

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Christopher Frank Butler on November 28, 2022 at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), Civic campus. Chris was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in July. He had the good fortune of meeting his amazing medical team at TOH in August. The incredible skill, care, and compassion they demonstrated throughout Chris’ journey will never be forgotten by Chris’ family. On Monday, he succumbed to this insidious disease, with Pam by his side until the very end. 

Chris is predeceased by his beloved father Geoffrey Frank Butler.  He is survived by his wife Pamela, and daughters Isabelle and Zoë, his mother Lyndia Eberhardt Butler (John), sister Stephanie Deighan (Colin), sister-in-law Jennifer Johnson (Dave), brother-in-law Bruce Johnson (Amy), brother-in-law Michael Johnson, mother-in-law Catherine Arnott (John), and father-in-Law Bob Johnson (Leslie). He is also survived and loved by his Uncle Keith (Brenda), Auntie Ann (Ron) and other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews from the North, the East Coast and Ontario.

His loss is also being deeply felt by, what Chris called his “logical families” (vs. biological) including the members of Queen’s University (The Tech Eddies), the Kingston Yacht Club, Gloucester High School, his many cycling friends and his neighbourhood in Ottawa.  Condolences have been pouring in from far and wide around the globe.

Chris was born in 1973 in Newmarket, Ontario and attended school in Kitchener-Waterloo and Toronto.  He attended The University of Western Ontario and ultimately decided to pursue a career in the trades.

He met Pam at Ashbridge’s Bay Yacht Club in 1993 and very quickly became her Rock.  They lived a wonderful life together for close to 30 years.  After they moved to Ottawa in 1999, he continued his career as an electrician. In 2003, Pamela and Chris were married at Blessed Sacrament Church in Ottawa. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to England for 2 years, using it as a base from which to pursue their passion for travel. Their foreign adventures included exploring the myriad of walking and biking trails of the UK, exploratory trips through Europe, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, a safari in Kenya, and travel through Australia and New Zealand. 

Upon returning to Canada, Chris and Pam settled back into their Ottawa neighbourhood, began putting down roots and started their family.  It was great joy that they welcomed Isabelle and Zoë into their lives.  Chris could often be found in the park at the end of their street, on his bike or on a paddleboard with one or both of his daughters.

In 2016, Chris decided to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a teacher.  It was a natural progression from teaching sailing, to workplace mentorship, and ultimately pursuing his vision of becoming the teacher he never had during his youth. Thus, he returned to university and obtained his Bachelor of Education at Queen’s University while living aboard his beloved sailboat in Kingston, Cayman’went. Chris immediately began sharing his knowledge, expertise, and support to students at many different schools in Ottawa. He found his happy place at Gloucester High School (Go Gators!) and was determined to continue striving to inspire and encourage his students with creativity, commitment, and compassion.

Chris was a true multi-dimensional man.  He was a dedicated husband and father, tradesman, teacher, artist, sailor, mountain biker, amazing cook, lover of wine and good conversation.  He was always ready for a political conversation or a good laugh.  His Halloween pumpkins were inspired and the snow forts he built for his daughters every winter were magical. In his own words he should be remembered for his dedication to boats, bikes and his ‘babes’ (Isabelle, Zoë and Pam).

The family will be marking Chris’ passing privately at this time.  A Celebration of Life will be planned at a future date. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in memory of Chris Butler to support neuro-oncology patient care and research at The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. Donations can be made online at www.ohfoundation.ca/tribute or by phone at 613-761-4295 or mailed to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, 737 Parkdale Avenue, 1st Floor, Box 610, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 1J8.

Now please go hug those you love a little tighter and raise a glass to the amazing Chris - A man without pretense yet at home in any environment.