Surrounded by the love of his family, Butch passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2015.  Cherished and loving husband of Leslie Symes; beloved son of Shirley Ottmann; loving brother of Lynda (Bruce) Bowman; Carol Morningstar; Dave (Carol) Morningstar; Bill (Terry) Morningstar; and Susan Ottmann.  Also survived by beloved nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by stepfather, Ludwig Ottmann.  Lovingly remembered by Leslie’s mother, Eileen Symes, sisters Pat (Dave) Wirtanen, and Marilyn (Chris) Bruce and their families.

Butch was born in Port Colborne, Ontario on July 15, 1954 and raised in Niagara Falls where he maintained lifelong friendships with his childhood buddies, known as the “Riff Raff Gang”.

After receiving a B.Sc. from the University of Guelph, Butch moved to BC and earned a M.Sc. in Geomorphology from Simon Fraser University.  He then worked with Cuso International in the villages of Borneo.  Returning to Canada, Butch worked in forestry consulting in Cranbrook.  In 1997, Butch joined the BC Public Service in Smithers and in 2007 moved to Victoria to work in the Mines Division of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.  Passionate about integrated resource management his most recent role was Executive Director, Business Lead, Natural Resource Sector Transformation Secretariat.

Butch enjoyed spending time at the family cottage in Dunnville, Ontario, a good game of golf, Christmas, camping, his dogs, music and a fine glass of red wine, but most of all he was known for his love of family and friends.  Butch believed in, and lived, the core values of life — honesty, integrity, respecting others opinions and treating others as they wished to be treated.  A wonderful man.

Many thanks to the staff on 8 South at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, and at the BC Cancer Agency, for their compassionate care of Butch.

A “Celebration of Butch’s Life” will be held on Sunday, March 1st at 3:00 p.m., Uplands Golf Course, 3300 Cadboro Bay Road, Victoria.  A celebration will also take place in Niagara Falls at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please give someone a hug today.

McCall Bros. Funeral Home

www.mccallbros.com

  • Kevin Hodgson

    From a long lost friend. Only recently found of Butch’s passing. He’ll be forever missed remembered with me. My condolences to his loving wife and family. And to Shirley Ottmann whom I have occassionally kept in contact with, his brother’s and sisters. We all grew up in the same neighbourhood and went to school together. May God be with you Butch.

    Kevin

  • Deb Furlong (Haverko)

    He was my boss in Cranbrook. Kimmur forestry was a great work experience for me and I know Butch was a big part of that. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

  • Helena Davis

    Butch,

    I will remember you for ~

    Your absolute devotion to Leslie
    Your incomparable generosity of spirit
    Your sincere passion for the important things in life
    Your kind heart

    I will miss your big bear hugs

    Rest in Peace Butch

    My deepest condolences to Leslie
    and to Butch and Leslie’s families

  • Julia Bruce and Rene Blanchard

    We were so sad to hear of Butch’s passing. While we weren’t lucky enough to get to spend as much time with Butch as we would have liked, we knew that he made Auntie Leslie very happy. We are so thankful for all of the joy he brought to our family and are thinking of you all today.

    Wish we could be there with you.

  • Pete & Renate Colosimo

    We were fortunate to have Butch and Leslie attend our annual “Riff Raff” barbeque/pool party this past summer in Niagara Falls. Butch always made a point of staying connected with his buddies over the years, regardless of where he lived. He was a true friend who will be greatly missed but never forgotten since we have many pictures, stories and laughs to share forever. Cheers Butch !

  • Pat Cheetham

    Leslie, my sincerest condolences on the loss of your love, friend and soul mate Butch…thinking of you and remembering the good times at Energy and Mines with you both..

    Pat.

  • Valerie Z Cameron

    Butch and I went to grad school together – many soggy field days in the Fraser Valley! — and later we had the same employer in the BC government. I remember Butch being generous with his time and himself, his great sense of humour, and the way that he created communities of friends around him. He was respected by his colleagues and applied his solid intellect and leadership skills towards some very innovative initiatives. My sincere condolences to his family. Butch will be missed.

  • John and Kate Howard

    Butch will be greatly missed. He was a compassionate man who always enjoyed helping others, especially the young public servants in his orbit. He played a great game of golf and was quick to share a laugh. Condolences to Leslie and all the family.

  • Michele and Duncan Chalmers

    Miss you! The world needs more “Butch’s”. Kind, friendly and funny! A great friend and a gift to us all. Love “the hug” – so Butch…

  • Connie and Bob Paterson

    We have lots of good memories of Butch from his Sioux Lookout MNR days. We were all young and it was party-time. I can still picture Butch walking into a room with his droopy eyes and wearing his Riff Raff t-shirt. There were lots of late night parties and groggy mornings at work. We are so sorry to learn of his death and send our condolences to all of his family.

  • Chico and gord ford

    Our hearts were broken when we heard the sad news of the passing of our dear friend butch Morningstar. He was a great guy who lived life to the fullest. Butch left the town of Sioux lookout after a stint with the local Ministry of Natural Resources. During his time in Sioux lookout, he became a dear friend who loved to party at the local watering hole called the Knights of Columbus hall on Friday nights with the Sioux lookout gang! On those Friday nights, Many bags of potato chips were eaten, pull open bonanza tickets ripped apart, games of shuffleboard and pool were played. We carried on to party for the weekend either heading out to a camping spot, or a friends or butch’s apartment to laugh and enjoy the moments of life!
    Butch was always the first person to show up to play our annual ‘January snowbowl”held at the local high school field. Always wearing his favourite football jersey and a smile on his face!! Ready to go at any moment. That was Butch!! His close encounter with a black bear was on his way home from work when he hit the bear! It put his transmission into his truck. But Butch laughed it off as he finally came face to face with a bear. So many happy memories of our dear friend Butch. We loved him dearly but will forever cherish the memories and time we spent with him. Our sincere condolences to Leslie and family. Take care

  • Victor Bentley and Marion Jurrjens

    Christmas we missed his yearly update, now we know why. Such devastating news when we heard from his friends in Sioux Lookout that Butch had died. He was a dear friend and we shared many great moments together. Vic, despite the distance and the years that had passed without seeing each other, called him the best friend he had. And when I came to Sioux Lookout from the Netherlands in 1979 he made me feel at ease in such a different society from where I came from. The tribute is how we remember him: honest, direct, kind and with great integrity. Our condolences for his wife and family. Such an enormous loss for all.

  • Lillian and Edmund Hsiah

    Hugs from us to you… Praying for your comfort and peace.

  • Marilyn and Chris Bruce

    A beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. He will be missed.

    Marilyn and Chris

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