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 and Family:
Our sincere sympathy in the loss of James. We hope that you have many happy memories of the years you shared.
David & Bev Grubb
Dear Sybil, We extend our sympathy to you on the death of James. We well remember your thoughtfulness when we first moved to Victoria, now 25 years ago.and the times since when our paths have crossed.
I still remember the party at Joan’s home on Rockland when Jim lead us all in a rolicking sing song !!
Our condolences too ,to your sons and their families
Love Peter and Jane
I am very sad to here about Jim, we worked together on the Prince Rupert and the Queen of the North for a lot of years and were good friends. He was very creative and always liked a good story as well as a real good laugh. He was always very professional and I always liked being on the same watch, he would never question your judgement and always had your back. He was a real great guy, and I sure am sorry for your loss.
PS I will never forget him doing a back flip for the guys on the Rupert one night, like I said an amazing guy.
Thank You
Brian Luxton
Chris Justice phoned to say that James had passed away in Victoria on May 23rd. At the Wednesday A.G.M. of the Crow’s Nest Officer’s Club, I advised members of the sad news that James had “crossed the bar” and we held a minutes silence in his honour.
Many of our members met James during his work with the ‘Battle of the Atlantic’ celebrations in St. John’s, Derry and Halifax, and all who knew him remember his courage, unfailing good humour and enthusiastic singing voice.
My wife Magda and I enjoyed James’ visit to St. John’s and our home during the ‘Corvette’s Wake’ in February 2007, and it was a thrill for me to spend an evening with you both later on that year at your home in Victoria. James was in great form – an unforgettable evening.
Our sympathy goes out to you Sybil and all your family. The Canadian Naval community is a sadder place for his departure.
Yours Aye,
John Moyes, Past President
Crow’s Nest Officers’ Club
St. John’s, Newfoundland
Dear Sybil,
I was so sorry to hear of James’ death. I send my sincerest sympathy to you and your family.
With love,
Doris
To Philip & Tracy
I am sorry to read of your fathers passing. I think about you two and the girls often. When the time is right I would love to hear from you. My love to you and your family at this difficult time.
My sincere condolences to Sybil, her children and grandchildren on the passing of the extraordinary James Butterfield. I remember a man of great curiosity and kindness; full of invigorating engagement with life. His infectious laughter still rings in my ears.
Back in ’73, when I first started visiting the Butterfield house, I was amazed at the energy (intellectual and otherwise), artistic bounty and the sheer number of people that were scrambling around the house on any given day. On the kitchen board was a simple hand-written sign: “The key to success: Get up, get ready, go!”
My love and prayers are with you all.
David MacIntyre
Dear Sybil and Family:
Terry and I share your sorrow. Jim was a wonderful friend and shipmate. The friendship between Terry and Jim was kindled some 68 years ago when they were cadets on the Empress Liners. They first met in Freetown, Sierra Leone when Jim was aboard the Empress of Russia and Terry aboard the Empress of Canada during the war. We will miss him – he is gone but the memories remain.
Warm regards
Bobbie and Terry Elworthy
Mrs. Butterfield, I was so saddened to read of your husband’s passing. I always enjoyed talking with him when the two of you would come to see me. My condolences to you and your family.
I’m so sorry to hear of Captain Butterfield’s passing. He was a lovely man. I met James a few times many years ago at Saturna Island’s lamb BBQ. I’ll never forget our conversations. We had a mutual love of ships and navigating the coast of BC. He was warm, encouraging and funny. Such a loss for his family , the community of Victoria and the company of devoted sailors who knew him across Canada.
“O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done, the ship has weathered every rock, the prize we sought is won, the port is near, the bells i hear, the people all exulting.”
Walt Whitman
Goodbye Cap, you were well loved and will be sorely missed.
Susann Hunt
Navigating Officer CCG
Saturna Island