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,
Jolly Uncle James! That is what my siblings and I called James. He was indeed the most jolly of fellows. As kids growing up he used to regale us with stories of the sea, his travels, his beloved family, all the while making humourous jokes and keeping us all fully engaged. Perhaps entranced is a better description.
I remember his head stands and magic tricks. But most of all, as I grew a little older, I treasured our endless hours of conversation about the sea and life in general. His perspective on any topic was always very enlightening. The credo he always shared with me was, “You know, you only go around the bouy once in life, so you better make the best of it.”
James, Jolly Uncle James, will be sadly missed by all. Please accept the most heart felt of condolences from the Agnews…Jeffrey, Jane, Barbara and Robert.
Cheers, Jeff
My sincere condolences to Mrs. Butterfield and family on the death of Captain Butterfield. I have fond memories of staying at the Butterfield home in the early 1980s when I was in rehearsals preparing to tour with Opera Piccola. I also had the privilege of sailing on the Queen of the North from Prince Rupert to Victoria with Captain Butterfield at the helm. He invited our group to have dinner with him in the Captain’s Diningroom. However, before dinner, the ship passed through a section of open water and many of us became desperately seasick. Captain Butterfield assured us this would pass and we would be “just fine” by dinnertime. He was absolutely correct! We enjoyed a delightful evening with stories of his trips up and down BC’s coast. He was a true gentleman.
Benjamin and family,
Our sincere condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father.
May all your fond memories carry you through this difficult time.
Janice and Mike.
Dear Philip,
I note with sadness the passing of your father.
Please accept my condolences – to you and your family.
With love and care,
Bruce McKinnon
It was an honour to have known James for more than a quarter century. We shall miss his unique sense of humour and philosophical views on life.
Our thoughts are with you Sybil and your family.
With loving memories from us all,
Geoff, Elaine, Susan and Stephen
Dear Sybil and family, I was very saddened to learn of Jim’s passing from my sister Mary Andrews of Victoria. Jim and my Dad, Gerry Andrews enjoyed great times together over the years and we are very appreciative of the kindness that you and Jim extended to Dad in his latter years. Jim lived an exemplary life and lived it with gusto.
My thoughts are with you all as you say good bye to a great husband, father and friend.
Kris Andrews.
Dear Ben, Sybil and Butterfield Family: I was so sad to read the news about James. Please know that I am thinking of you all and wish you the very best in this difficult time. My parents also asked me to pass on their thoughts and prayers. They will be reaching their 60th wedding anniversay as you Sybil and James were about to.
Love to you all,
Matthew
Christopher, Merrie-Ellen, Claire and Julian, I am sorry to hear of the passing of your father, father-in-law and grandfather. I hope that the memories you have will keep him ever present in your lives. Diana
To Sybil and Family,
I was very sad to hear that Jim had “crossed the bar”
I had the pleasure of working opposite Jim on the ‘North’ and later enjoying hisnautical fellowship at Tony Winstanley’s do’s. He was such fine and and honourable master mariner. He looked so smart and professional in uniform with his ribbons etc.
Home is the sailor
Home from the sea
And the hunter home from the hill
RLStevenson
Dear Sybil and Family,
I read with great sorrow the news of Jimmy’s passing. Like Sonia, he seems to have left us quite suddenly from cancer. It was the suddenness of Sonia’s passing that I found the hardest to bear.
As you may remember, Jimmy and I had some great conversations in the later years of his life, and I am glad that I shared those times with him. Please accept my deepest sympathies for you and your talented family. My best wishes and if you come up this way, I would be delighted to see you.
Fondest regards
Cdr. (R) Peter Birch-Jones
Qulaicum Beach