"Butch"

                                                             BUTCH 

We met via a mutual friend and I was immediately smitten but not in any sense romantic. It would end up being an 8 year friendship built slowly and securely on honesty and trust.

He lived in Maine in a country I love & once lived in as well. We each had been married twice, had a son and a daughter, loved the sea and music. I introduced him to the only two singers he would play again......Nana Mouskouri and Daniel O'Donnell.

When I needed a bathroom built on a shoestring budget at my B & B on CSI, he arrived with his tools and I bought whatever else he needed at Wislons. This was in 2004 so I could get a license!

He helped me out in so many ways so my business could get off the ground. He has always been there for me and I knew I could call him 24/7 with anything and he would drop everything to listen, to come, to help.

He drove over here in the middle of winter to help me move to Tantallon in 2009 after selling my B & B. I finally was able to repay him for all his services but he hesitated to take it. I had to insist!

I called him "Mr Fix It." He simply called me "Hon."

He was an ex Military soldier who almost died for his country while helping save other lives. He lost many close friends in Vietnam but wouldn't speak about it.He was one of the first on the scene at Nine Eleven in NYC. He had been a Paramedic; a sea Captain; a deep sea diver; his last career a real estate Agent. He would give a stranger his very last dollar! And he did!

His late wife was an RN who had died of cancer and he was so proud of her courage and his love for her was unlimited. He rode his Harley and spent many hours alone missing her. I know she was watching over him.

I used to coax him to attend church and not long ago he called to tell me he had just done so. He actualy felt welcomed and was thrilled.

But when he became too short winded to continue his exercise program (incl. 100 push-ups each morning) and such, he decided to go ahead with having a pig's valve put in his heart. In retrospect, I wish he had not. It's better to be short winded than dead at just 65.

He was too stubborn and impatient and independent to be discharged so soon from the hospital in Bangor, Maine. He promised me that he would wait the required 6 weeks to do anything at all but unbeknowst to me, he drove himself back home, a 2 hour drive.

I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't carry in wood and get supplies at the store. His neighboring daughter found him the following night......in bathrobe and slippers......been dead awhile.

I tried to watch our favourite TV show last night as he got CBC in Maine and loved Coronation Street. But just the sound of the music brought me to tears. Who would I complain to about Carla and who will I call when John Stape goes to court for Fizz's trial?

I will miss him. I do already.....