William Russell "Butch" Green

Butch was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on 25 June 1929, to John Charles Green and Ida Pearl Green (nee Heron). Pearl perished from strep throat in 1934, when Butch was five years old. Butch lived with his Aunt May and Uncle Sam Forbes until his father later married Alice Mabel McLean. Charles and Mabel then had two daughters: Donna (Don) Parr and Joann (Wolf) Osterburg.

Butch lived through the Great Depression and the Second World War, and often recalled feeling hungry as a child. This may well have influenced his love of all things gastronomical later in life. This may well have also influenced the qualities that became inextricably linked to his character: his love of family, his kindness and generosity, his determination to succeed in whatever he took on, and his ability to find joy in the small things.

Butch’s characteristic determination was never more evident than with regards his career, a defining feature of his long life. After high school, Butch worked as a clerk for the Canadian Pacific Railway in Moose Jaw. He then navigated upwards through the ranks of municipal government, securing a position as the Director of Parks and Recreation first in Moose Jaw, and then in Prince Albert. Whilst living in Saskatchewan, Butch was honoured with a term as the President of the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association, and was an active member of the Kinsmen (Kin Canada).

A move to British Columbia in 1970 saw him further excel in his field. From 1976-1977, Butch was made President of the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association. When he retired in 1992 at the age of 63, he had been the Administrator of Parks and Recreation for the City of Surrey for over 22 years. His vision to make Surrey the ‘City of Parks’ was realised in 1993; the 200+ green spaces enjoyed across Surrey remain his legacy today.

Butch was passionate about music and was a skilled musician, playing both the piano and the trumpet beautifully. He played trumpet in the Moose Jaw Technical High School Band and Orchestra; the Saskatchewan Dragoons (20th Armoured Regiment); and the Army, Navy, and Airforce Veterans Band (Unit 252, Moose Jaw). He pioneered the first Moose Jaw Kinsmen International Band Festival in 1950 and recalled with great pride getting to play alongside the world-renowned trumpeter Rafael Mendez at its closing performance. Butch was both conductor of the Moose Jaw Lions Junior Band (B) and assistant conductor of Band A. He led his own band, the Silver Tone Trio, to some success, despite its humble beginnings.

Butch remained committed to music and the arts long after Macular Degeneration and eventual blindness prevented him from performing. He loved the opera and held season tickets to both the Stanley Theatre and the Arts Club in Vancouver, BC for many years. He enjoyed the theatre, but the musical events were always his favourite; he could often be seen with his eyes closed, smiling, as he absorbed every note.

Butch loved being outdoors and enjoyed a wide variety of sport and fitness well into his retirement. He played junior football and coached the first junior rugby team in Moose Jaw. He was an avid runner throughout his life, and participated in numerous marathons and relay races, despite ongoing protestations from his knees. When he wasn’t running, he enjoyed hiking, walking, cycling, hunting, and even racing war canoes. He was a strong supporter of the Canadian Football League, first following the Saskatchewan Rough Riders and then the BC Lions- the latter as a committed season ticket holder. He also loved riding his Harley Davidson and continued until his eyesight forced him to stop. After one or two crashes, the protestations from his knees were echoed by many in his family.

On 16 August 1952, Butch married Audrey Lorraine Green (nee Bozak), with whom he shares three children: Michelle Green, Paula (Nancy) Stockdale, and Dianne (Bill) Jeffery. After nearly 70 years of marriage, Butch still smiled when Lorraine took his hand.

Butch was a committed father and grandfather. He loved to play and doted on his five grandchildren Heather (Danny) Stockdale-Korte, Amanda (Steven) Dawes, Thomas Jeffery (deceased 2012), Josephine ‘Ada’ (Lissa) Quinn, and Allison (Amardip) Stockdale. He family relished his charisma, kindness, generosity, and presence. He always showed up, and was proud of his family.

No services will be held at this time, though a celebration of life and spreading of ashes will take place in 2022. The family requests that donations are made to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, in lieu of flowers. Messages, cards, and memories of Butch, and for Butch, gratefully received.