August 25, 1922 – May 23, 2009
James Butterfield, Master Mariner, slipped his cable and set sail from Victoria on Swiftsure Day, Saturday May 23, after a brief bout with cancer. He leaves his beloved wife Sybil in the 60th year of their marriage; sons Christopher (Merrie-Ellen), Philip (Tracy), Peter (Sarah), Benjamin (Anne); grandchildren Marco, Sarah, Oonagh, Rosanna, Claire, Harry, Julian, Felix, Robin and Marijn; brothers Philip (Jenifer), Aidan (Aileen), John Sebastian (Mary). He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Robin (1951), and daughter Joy (Stefano) in 2006.
James was born in Reno, Nevada on August 25, 1922, the first son of James Butterfield, of Vancouver, and Virginia (Tener), of Wheeling, West Virginia. He grew up in Vancouver and in Summerland, BC. He attended the Duncan Grammar School, and in 1936 went to Liverpool (UK) to train for three years as a cadet in the Merchant Navy training ship HMS Conway. On leaving the Conway he joined the Canadian Pacific Steamships – RMS Empress of Russia – and for two years sailed to the Far East from Vancouver. In 1942 he was Deck Officer in three Foreign Going merchant ships, the last of which SS Jasper Park was torpedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean. He spent the next two years as Navigating Officer (RCN(R)) in HMCS North Bay on convoy escort duties in the North Atlantic. In 1945, he attended Trinity College, University of Toronto, where he met and fell in love with Sybil Agnew. They both graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in 1948, and James then returned to the Navy. After being commissioned as a Lieutenant in the RCN, he married Sybil in Kingston, Ontario in April, 1950. James served in Vancouver, Halifax, St. Jean, Halifax again, and Victoria; his last naval posting was as skipper of the training ketch HMCS Oriole. After retiring from the Navy in 1968, James served briefly in the Canadian Hydrographic Service, and then joined BC Ferries as Chief Officer, Master and then Senior Master. His last command was M/V Queen of the North, from which he retired in 1986. For some years afterwards he acted as Master of M/V Charlotte Princess for the summer, taking her on positioning cruises to the Queen Charlotte Islands; in this way he passed on his profound knowledge of the coast he loved to a younger generation.
James loved the sea and ships, books, poetry, music, dancing and friendship. He will be warmly remembered by his shipmates in the Company of Master Mariners; The Conway Association; The Thermopylae Club; The Naval Officers Association of Vancouver Island and by many friends up and down the West Coast, and around the world. He was contented and true-blue. His enthusiasm, love of life, and of people will forever be an inspiration to those who were fortunate to have known him. The family would like to thank Dr Cox, the staff at Victoria Hospice and Beacon Services for their care. A memorial service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, on Saturday, June 13 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his memory to the Mission to Seafarers, 401 East Waterfront Rd., Vancouver, BC, V6A 4G9
61 Responses
Dear Sybil & family,
I am so sorry for your loss of such a dynamic, yet gentle, man. I will always think of the many parties at Mum & Dad’s (Pam & Skinny Hayes’) where Jimmy would delight and entertain us with his many talents, including standing on his head as I recall! His love of life was contagious.
Please know that you are in my prayers.
Liz Gaunt (nee Hayes)
Dear Sybil and Family
We were saddened to read the news of Captain James’ “sailing.
Our sincerest condolences.
My fondest memory of James revolved around our mutual love of “Ocean Liners”. On meeting James I had mentioned this; in no time I was invited for lunch to continue our conversation. Imagine my delight when lunch turned out to be a full slide presentation and personal commentary on the history of ocean liners.
What a charmer! It was a day I will never forget.
Affectionately
George and Higge Baker
My prayers go out to Mrs. Butterfield and to the whole Butterfield family. God bless.
I was much saddened to read of the passing of James. I sailed with him in HMCS Provider where he was XO. A born sailor; I hope Jimmy never lost his youthful enthusiasm for all things nautical
nor his delightful sense of humour. He usually kept the wardroom
in an uproar.
A true Officer and gentleman. Long may his big jib draw.
My deepest condolences to his family.
Please accept my deepest sympathies on the passing of your father. I met him a few years ago when I was Fleet Commander on the West Coast.
ABD
I remember Sybil attributing Benjamin’s flair for the dramatic to James gathering the family around the piano and hamming up Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. She felt that James’ great sense of fun rubbed off on his gifted singer-sons.
The Butterflields have left a significant legacy in the musical circles of Victoria.
Dear Sybil and Family,
It is with great sadness that I learned of Jim’s passing.
He was a true gentleman and as such had much to offer to us, the younger generation. How I loved to hear his voice when it rose to tell a tale of the sea or of the outrages of modern life.
Regards,
Michael (in Taiwan)
Dear Sybil,
Our hearts go out to you. James was a favourite of ours, always so cheerful, a delight to engage with at every concert and whenever we were guests in your home. His unbridled enthusiasm for young performers did not go unnoticed and was, I know, always appreciated.
James will be sorely, sorely missed.
Our deepest condolences to you, Sybil. James was a gem.
Love,
Sheila
The ‘Jimmy Butterfield’ stories along the west coast are legion, and he will be greatly missed. It’s somehow fitting that he left this world on Swiftsure weekend – yet another of the Butterfield milestones. My sincere condolences to all the family. He was a remarkable man.
Ann
Jim will be sadly missed by his fellow shipmates