Posted 2 hours ago
by Dr. C. Lloyd Brown-John
Sometimes you meet a person who readily identifies as ‘unique’. A person for whom respect flows from you most naturally. Such was the late Ralph Butler of Leamington.
I met Ralph shortly after we moved to this part of Essex County some 17 years ago. He was a man with a passion for the community and an ever present smile. A quiet word, a smile, some solid advice–that was Ralph Butler.
Until his obituary appeared I knew little of his history–he was type of person–quietly effective, modest and ever helpful. Ralph exuded a confidence in almost every contact I had with him. He was active in the local Leamington-Mersea Historical Society. He was often the heart and soul of the Leamington Arts Centre where for many years he kept the finances under scrutiny. I’m told he also played high quality competitive mini-golf at Colisanti’s.
A few years ago I had taken on a little task of organising wine-food-art evenings at the late lamented Leamington Dock Restaurant as fund raisers for the Leamington Arts Centre. Each evening of Portugese wines and food and art or of Greek wines and food and art and so forth, took a good deal of time organising always with the help of another great Leamingtonian, Mike Vourakis. These were wonderful events and became quite popular although we never made a great deal of money for the Arts Centre.
On one post-wine evening occasion I was lamenting how little we made for the Centre and Ralph Butler, who always seemed to be able to find a bright side, said "Hey, your helping cover the cost of heating and cooling the building and that is a valuable contribution".
Ralph Butler and his wonderful life partner and wife, Madeline, were invariably delightful when I popped in to their house now and then on some matter related to one of the many community projects with which they were associated. Madeline made jam and I once received from her a tasty reminder of the Butler hospitality.
Ralph Butler was the type of person every community needs–wise, unassuming, intelligent and always handy with good advice served with a smile. Leamington was fortunate to have had Ralph Butler as an ardent supporter of his community. Communities need people with the dedication and enthusiasm of Ralph Butler. I guess I hope his very talented musician son, Dale Butler, will somehow capture the legacy of his father in a pensive musical tribute.
Ralph Butler, a man of many fine qualities will be missed by those many of us who worked in some manner with such an admirable person. And, perhaps as importantly, Leamington will miss a fine and dedicated gentleman.
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