H. Douglas Butt
January 8, 1929 to December 15, 2022
Obituary
Passed peacefully away at Tiffany Village on December 15, 2022, in his 94th year. Doug was predeceased by his life long companion and wife Helen (Taylor) of 65 years in 2020, and his parents, Harvey and Helen (Nellie) Butt.
Leaving to morn with cherished memories are his children David (Patricia Kavanagh),Creston, BC, Margaret (Joseph Earles) and Jonathan (Joanna Copeland) Cranbrook BC as well the apple of his eye grandchild, Lou. Also brother in law Robert Taylor (Sylvia), a number of cousins, nieces and nephews, and a wide circle of friends including dear friends Peter and Margaret Templeton.
An icon of small business for over 50 years in St. John’s, Doug, together with Helen, and later, Margaret, owned and operated Parkdale Pharmacy, a fixture on Elizabeth Avenue, growing it to the largest independent drug store and supplier of home health equipment in the province. From its early beginnings Parkdale was a champion of youth employment, with many of its staff hired in their first job. The life lessons and experience gained at Parkdale would serve them well later on as they pursued their own varied careers. Doug was well known in the pharmacy community contributing in many ways to the advancement of the profession. He guided many young pharmacists through community practice work terms and was actively involved in the establishment of the School of Pharmacy at Memorial University.
In more recent years Helen and Doug travelled widely. Visiting family in BC became a joy especially once their grandchild arrived. They also spent summers with family at their “country place” in Upper Gullies. Doug was a proud Old Fieldian and active in the school’s association for many years.
The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Drs Andrew Hutton and Amanda Coleman. Staff on both the 2nd and 4th floor at Tiffany Village were kind beyond measure, many became friends as they cared for our father. Thanks also to Karen Smith at Tiffany who leads the staff there to care for the Tiffany community with respect and competence. Samantha Ward cared for Doug for many years with love and compassion both at home and when he first moved to long term care.
Visitation will be at Carnell’s Funeral Home Monday, December 19th from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM; and Tuesday, December 20th from 10 AM-12PM.
Funeral to be held Tuesday, December 20th at 2:00 from his church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, the “Kirk” on Queens Road. Interment to follow at Memorial Gardens
In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to Bridges to Hope (https://www.bridgestohope.ca) or St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in St. John’s.
Schedule
Visitations
2-4 p.m. on December 19, 2022
7-9 p.m. on December 19, 2022
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on December 20, 2022
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
funeral
2:00pm, Tuesday December 20th
St. Andrews (the Kirk)
Margaret and Family, Sincere condolences on the passing of your father. Thoughts are with you all, John
Our sincere sympathy to the family on the death of your father He was an icon in NL Pharmacy
So very sorry to hear about Mr. Butt’s passing,, he was such a nice friendly person who always made time for a chat. I tore the exhaust out of my car on the fire exit road in Butterpot in 1982 or 1983 and Mr. Butt crawled under my car with a coat hanger and tied up my exhaust for me so I could get home.
My sincere condolences to your family.
Jim Fitzgerald
Margaret, sincere condolences on the passing of your father .
Margaret and family please know I am sincerely saddened by the news of your dad’s passing.
I remember him fondly from the Parkdale days.
Both him and your mom were wonderful people and I enjoyed their calls and visits.
Please know I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Philly Kavanagh
Margaret and Family
Sorry for your loss our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jim ad Nancy Feltham
So sorry for your loss. He was a great man. I remember getting rides with him when we were going to the scout cabin in Torbay. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers Margret, David and Jonathan.
Margaret and family,
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Your father was a mentor to myself and many pharmacy students and pharmacists. He was well respected here in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada. I always enjoyed our chats when I visited Parkdale.
Thinking of you at this time.
Arlene Crane
Margaret and family,
I ‘m so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Your mother was a treasured member of the Bridgette’s group for a number of years. and your father was a quiet presence in the family room nearby when we played at their house. I also remember him as a kind and gentle pharmacist. My sincere condolences to you all.
Margaret and family, please accept my condolences on the passing of Mr. Butt. I had the privilege of working at Parkdale Pharmacy alongside your father, first as a student, and for seven years after graduating pharmacy school, my first job as a pharmacist. I learned a lot about serving your community and neighborhood at your family business, memories and lessons that I carry with me to this day. He leaves a great legacy behind.
Margaret and Butt family please accept our condolences on the passing of your Dad. He was a real gentleman and our Pharmacist for many years at Parkdale. He was always so pleasant and obliging. I’m sure you have many wonderful memories and hopefully they will help with the void left now. Also knowing so many people thought the world of your Dad must help. God bless and Rest In Peace Mr. Butt. Kay and Bob Connors
Margaret and family. Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your dad. May your many memories bring comport as we all mourn his passing
To Margaret and Family,
We have fond memories of your Dad at the pharmacy, always a friendly chat and there to help and advise whenever needed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Anthea and Michael.
Margaret and family
Wishing you peace and comfort at this sad time .
Mr. Butt was a lovely gentle man. He will be dearly missed .
Margaret and Family,
Our sincere condolences for your loss. We fondly remember the days of working with Parkdale. Your father’s legacy continues in the operation of your stores, and I’m sure he must have been so proud of you.
Margaret so sorry to hear of your Dads death, I often think of my days working at Parkdale, my love to you and your family. God Bless and take care.
Margaret
So sorry to hear of your Dads death . Please know you and your brothers are in my thoughts and prayer at this sad time . I have many fond memories of speaking with your dad over the years popping in and out of Parkdale .
Especially when Aunt Marie was working there .
Margaret and family;
So sorry to hear of your fathers passing,,he was a wonderful and generous sole and is sure he be missed by all that new him.
Doug Winsor
David, Margaret, Jonathon…..so sad to hear of your dad’s passing. What a treasure full of wonderful memories of Parkdale we have; the care and compassion of your dad & pharmaceutical team, their professional work ethic and ability to help…not to forget the magic of everything Parkdale held.. My warmest thought and wishes to you and yours at this difficult time..
Dear Margaret, John & I send our love and deepest sympathy to you, Joe, and all the family. We are sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. It is always hard to lose a loved one, but being so close to Christmas makes it harder. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May your dear Dad rest in eternal peace.
So sorry and saddened to learn of Doug’s passing. He was a caring human being who will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Well done thou good and faithful servant.
Dorothy and Bob MacLeod
Margaret and Family,
My sincerest condolences to you and your family on the passing of your dear father.
I remember him well from Parkdale days and from my dealings with him and your mother in my pre retirement place of work.
He was such a gentleman and you’ve done him proud in carrying on his entrepreneur spirit in your current business.
May he RIP and hold on to your precious memories, they will comfort you.
Sincerely
Elizabeth Seaward
The Butt Family,
Please accept my sincerest condolences on the passing of your Dad . He will always be remembered as a hard-working , honest and respectable man. He employed my Dad while he was a pharmacy student at MUN. Your Dad was always so wonderful to speak with. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Margaret and family,
We were so sorry to hear about your father’s passing.
Deepest condolences from Pat and Harry Stone
Margaret and family,
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your dad. I knew him well through the pharmacy community, as a dedicated pharmacist and business person. Having a similar business model in Churchill Square with my dad (Excel Pharmacy) we had many chats about business and the traditional pharmacy. I also enjoyed and respected his honesty and forthrightness in meetings we both attended. I know dad would like for me to pass on condolences on his behalf as well (he passed on August 30th). May you find peace in the memories you all share.
Sincerely, Brenda Bursey
Margaret and family
Please accept our condolences on the passing of your father. Mr. Butt was a lovely man. He was a visionary in the pharmacy and home health care industry, meeting the diverse health care needs not only of the city but of the province. Both your parents hold a special place in my heart.
Take care,
Jean Ann and Gary Ryan
So very sorry to read of Mr. Butt’s passing. His Parkdale Pharmacy was a fixture in our lives for so long. Just before Christmas every year, my mother would look up from her evening tea and say, “let’s go to the Parkdale!” which meant let’s shop for unique and beautiful stocking stuffers, the most fabulous Christmas cards and great selection of magazines, all while waiting for her prescriptions to be filled. She’d have a little chat with Mr. Butt and I’d try to sneak some perfume into my shopping bag without her noticing that I was at the cash without her. They were wonderful times and we were sad when Mr Butt retired and not long after the Parkdale was no more. Just a little memory share of a good man’s business. They don’t make’m like Mr. Butt anymore, a no nonsense, consummate professional. Please accept our sympathies. Renée (Marquis) and Paul Antle
Please accept my condolences on the passing of Mr.Butt.. He was our go to pharmacist growing up. He and his wife were ever so kind. I remember wandering aimlessly through the aisles looking at all the unique items they had there. Parkdale was certainly one of my fond memories from my childhood.. RIP Sir 😔
Sincere condolences from our family. Doug’s caring heart lives on through the blessings his children share with the community. Thinking of you.
The Butt Family:
Please accept our most sincere condolences on Doug’s passing. He was a respected stalwart in the Newfoundland and Canadian pharmacy community. May he rest in peace and rise again in glory.
Doug and Daphne Legge
With deepest sympathy to Jonathan, JoAnna, Lou and all the Butt family. Will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Margaret and family our sincere condolences to you all. Thinking of you during this time.
Sincerely,
Ruth & Reuben Hatcher
Margaret and Family:
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your dad. I remember him well from when we were “next door neighbours” on Elizabeth Avenue. We had many a friendly chat and I valued his sound advice. It was great to have known and been associated with him, your mom and you.
Margaret and family my heartfelt condolences to you at this very sad time. I saw your Dad only a few days ago and over the years had many chats with him about growing up on Forest Road..
So sorry for your loss.it was my honour to know your dad and to be one of his caregivers. He will be sadly miss.RIP Mr butt.
Margaret and family. Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your father. Well known to our family over the years from Parkdale and Scouts to mutual family friends he was a man who will be remembered for his integrity and kindness.
Bev Karagianis and Rita Rowe