Obituary for Willis Henry Boutilier
Willis Henry Boutilier
Age 80 of Aspotogan, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones on February 28th, at the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Born in
Aspotogan, he was the son of the late Glen and Blanche (Gates) Boutilier. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 yrs , Patsy (Miller), and their children Darrell (Tina) Aspotogan; Shelley (Norm) Dartmouth; and Michael (Holly), Windsor Rd; grandchildren, Chantal, Courtney, Jade, Emily, and Alex, and great granddaughter, Raine. He is also survived by his brother Fred (Phyllis), East River; sister Jewel Malacrida, Blandford, and sister-in-law Verna Boutilier, Aspotogan. He was predeceased by his brother Avery and sister Shirley Ryan, and niece Dawn Ryan. Willis was a loving and supportive family man and a determined and hard-working provider who considered his work to be more of a passion than just a job. He was always proud to mention that he started doing small yardwork jobs as a 12 yr. old, and really didn’t stop working until his health would no longer allow him to. He worked at the Halifax Dockyards as a freight handler for a few years and then spent 11 years working for Karlsen’s Fish Plant in New Harbour, where he made some lifelong friends, and had many great stories of when it was a whale plant. He then spent many summers fishing groundfish with his brother-in-law and then his nephew, and every fall, winter, and spring he spent lobster fishing. His son Michael joined him later in his career, and they fished together for 25 years. Despite catching lobster for over 50 years, the sight of a big lobster in a trap still brought a smile to his face each, and every time. When he could no longer fish, he spent much of his time carving miniature wooden buoys and decoys and building old fashioned handmade wooden ladders. Recently, a good friend of his referred to him as a brilliant man who could accomplish anything he set his mind to. He would never consider himself brilliant, but to those of us who relied on him for his strength, courage, and wisdom, we would all agree. While he made his living on the sea, his true happy place was in the woods. He was an avid outdoorsman and hunter and loved spending his days cutting firewood and cooking meals with Patsy on the old wood fired stove at his camp. You could visibly see the excitement building within him as deer hunting season would approach each year. He absolutely loved the challenge and excitement that hunting provided him. He will be missed by everyone who knew him, but especially his grandchildren, with whom he had a special bond. He gave them his heart and time, and in return, they absolutely adored him. The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the ICU and Surgery ward staff at the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, VON and Palliative Care for the compassion and kindness they provided him during his final days. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Ronald A. Walker Funeral Home in Hubbards. As per his wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. The family plans to have a private burial at All Saints Anglican Cemetery in Bayswater when weather permits.
Age 80 of Aspotogan, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones on February 28th, at the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Born in
Aspotogan, he was the son of the late Glen and Blanche (Gates) Boutilier. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 yrs , Patsy (Miller), and their children Darrell (Tina) Aspotogan; Shelley (Norm) Dartmouth; and Michael (Holly), Windsor Rd; grandchildren, Chantal, Courtney, Jade, Emily, and Alex, and great granddaughter, Raine. He is also survived by his brother Fred (Phyllis), East River; sister Jewel Malacrida, Blandford, and sister-in-law Verna Boutilier, Aspotogan. He was predeceased by his brother Avery and sister Shirley Ryan, and niece Dawn Ryan. Willis was a loving and supportive family man and a determined and hard-working provider who considered his work to be more of a passion than just a job. He was always proud to mention that he started doing small yardwork jobs as a 12 yr. old, and really didn’t stop working until his health would no longer allow him to. He worked at the Halifax Dockyards as a freight handler for a few years and then spent 11 years working for Karlsen’s Fish Plant in New Harbour, where he made some lifelong friends, and had many great stories of when it was a whale plant. He then spent many summers fishing groundfish with his brother-in-law and then his nephew, and every fall, winter, and spring he spent lobster fishing. His son Michael joined him later in his career, and they fished together for 25 years. Despite catching lobster for over 50 years, the sight of a big lobster in a trap still brought a smile to his face each, and every time. When he could no longer fish, he spent much of his time carving miniature wooden buoys and decoys and building old fashioned handmade wooden ladders. Recently, a good friend of his referred to him as a brilliant man who could accomplish anything he set his mind to. He would never consider himself brilliant, but to those of us who relied on him for his strength, courage, and wisdom, we would all agree. While he made his living on the sea, his true happy place was in the woods. He was an avid outdoorsman and hunter and loved spending his days cutting firewood and cooking meals with Patsy on the old wood fired stove at his camp. You could visibly see the excitement building within him as deer hunting season would approach each year. He absolutely loved the challenge and excitement that hunting provided him. He will be missed by everyone who knew him, but especially his grandchildren, with whom he had a special bond. He gave them his heart and time, and in return, they absolutely adored him. The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the ICU and Surgery ward staff at the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, VON and Palliative Care for the compassion and kindness they provided him during his final days. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Ronald A. Walker Funeral Home in Hubbards. As per his wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. The family plans to have a private burial at All Saints Anglican Cemetery in Bayswater when weather permits.