December 30, 1939 - September 5, 2023
James Eldon "Butch" Richmond, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away suddenly but peacefully on September 5th, 2023, at the age of 83, at St. Mary's Hospital in Kitchener. Butch was a true gentleman, known for his quiet strength, honest character, and loyalty to his family and friends.
Butch was happily married to Therese "Terri" for an incredible 57 years, a testament to their enduring love and commitment. Together, they raised three children, Andrea (Tony), James (Julie), and Kent (Nicole), and their family grew to include ten adoring grandchildren: Lucas, Bronte, Chloe, Therese, Phoebe, Quinlan, Owen, Gavin, Maya, and Tessa.
Born in Guelph to James and Sarah Richmond, Butch was the youngest of 7 and cherished his older siblings. He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings, Isabel, Beatrice, Reta, Lynn, and Ida, but is survived by his sister Arlene.
Butch was known for his love of card games, especially cribbage and euchre, played with friends and family. He was a lifelong, ardent fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and enjoyed making cookies, bread, and wine to share with others. Butch's famous wit and sense of humour brought joy to all who knew him, and he had a knack for sharing a good joke. He cherished the simple pleasures in life, often enjoying a "smash" of rye and ginger in good company.
Butch demonstrated unwavering commitment throughout his career, working for over 35 years at Grand River Sales without missing a single day of work. During his retirement, Butch relished various part-time jobs, including working at the Guelph Lakes Golf Club and driving for Nissan. He and Terri also created many lasting memories during winters spent together in their Englewood, Florida home.
His athleticism shone through as he was named the first athlete of the year at John Ross High School, excelled in softball and slow pitch, and competed in curling at the Guelph Curling Club. He was a proud member of the Paisons Curling team, who competed at the Quebec International Bonspiel for over 25 years. In his later years, he enjoyed maintaining beautiful gardens at home, completing challenging puzzles, golfing socially and staying informed of current affairs.
A celebration of Butch's life will take place at a future date. Butch’s legacy of love, laughter, and dedication will forever be cherished by those whose lives he touched.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests leaving a fond memory of Butch in the condolences section of Passages Online Condolences (please see below).
For those who wish to make a donation in Butch’s memory, please consider supporting St. Joseph's Health Center.
Care for the family provided by Passages Cremation and Burial