Obituary of Darrel Norman Butler

The family of Darrel Norman Butler is saddened to announce his death at the Dr Everett Chalmer’s Hospital on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at the age of 71. Darrel is survived by his wife Cathy (Simmons); daughters Heather (Mark) of Brampton and Ann (Ryan) of Fredericton; granddaughters Emma and Claire; step grandson Reese; brother Brian (Lin); brothers-in-law Michael, Larry and Peter, as well as many friends. Darrel joined the senior management team in 1972 at Kings Landing where he worked for 44 years. He designed its interpretation and education programs, including the visiting cousins program. His passion was preserving New Brunswick history, ensuring the historical authenticity of the presentation in the village, and managing the artifact collection. He dedicated his life to preserving the history of New Brunswick. While obtaining his MA in History and Graduate Certificate in Material History from UNB, he attended the HF DuPont Winterthur Museum and University of Delaware. Over the years, he served the museum community of New Brunswick and Canada by serving on the Board of the Association Museums New Brunswick; chair of the Professional Standards and Ethics Committee of the Canadian Museums Association (CMA), and also sat on the board of directors of the CMA. He served as president of the York Sunbury Historical Society in the 1980’s. Darrel was an appraiser on the first season of the Canadian Antiques Road Show and travelled across Canada. He also sat on the committee that established the Heritage Preservation Review Board in Fredericton. Darrell was an active member of the Anglican Church and has been on the vestry of both St. Peter’s Anglican Church and Christ Church (Parish) Church. He worked tirelessly in the church kitchen for dinners and receptions always teasing and joking with his friends. He married his dearest friend and constant love of his life in 1972. Besides giving him the best years of her life, Cathy kept him constantly humble. She will miss him. While his daughter Ann was in Characters Incorporated (directed by Philip Sexsmith), he assisted in many ways with the group from 1992 – 1997. His greatest pleasure in his life was enjoying time with his daughters and then his granddaughters. He loved and cherished them more than anything else in the world. Grampy would do anything with them – from watching an ant hill for hours; planting a garden with Claire; building sandcastles to visiting every museum and art gallery (especially the Royal Ontario Museum) with Emma. He was the best father and grandfather ever! There will be a visitation at McAdam’s Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 from 4:00 – 7:00pm. A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at 3:00 pm at the Christ Church (Parish) Church. Due to current health restrictions, please contact the funeral home to reserve a seat: (506) 458-9170, email: mcadams@mcadamsfh.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.