"Sonny" Harold Nickerson Butler

“SONNY” HAROLD NICKERSON BUTLER

April 22, 1929 – August 4, 2026

Passed peacefully away at the Health Sciences Centre August 4th, 2026 ‘Sonny’ Harold Nickerson Butler, age 97.

He is survived by his wife of almost 75-years, Elizabeth “Betty” (Knight) Butler. They have seven children, 18-grandchildren and 22-great grandchildren.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Sonny Butler moved to St. John’s at 3-years of age. He met his wife when they were teen-agers and would call her up and tell her to come down to the road behind her house where she would climb on the back of his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and off they would ride. They soon married and moved to Montreal, where they welcomed their first two children and with the tragic death of his own father they moved the family back to St. John’s.

Sonny and Betty went on to raise 7-children. Sonny ran his own business, Butler Surveys and Appraisals, for many years and later, he joined the College of the North Atlantic as an Appraisal Instructor, a teaching role he truly loved. He was also President of the Appraisal Institute of Canada for many years.

In the 1980s, Harold achieved a lifelong dream by earning his pilot’s license. He went on to enjoy many years of flying, making similar friendships around the Country and served as President of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Small Planes Association. He co-owned a Piper Cherokee Aircraft and took to the skies at every opportunity.

He was also an avid camper. Starting around 1974, he spent over 20 years enjoying great adventures on the road in a 6-7 person sleeper camper van. He loved taking his family and grandchildren to parks across Atlantic Canada, Montreal, and Niagara Falls.

In recent years, he spent more time at home, welcoming a large and growing family of 40 grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In his early years, everyone knew him as Sonny. To his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was always their Gramps or Grampie.

CHILDREN

Dan Butler (Barbara), Roxanne Butler, Bonnie Butler, Colleen Butler, Roger Butler (Lori), Stephen Butler (Mary). Predeceased by daughter Nancy Hedderson and husband Eric.

GRAND-CHILDREN

Dale Butler (Peggy), Danielle Butler, Christopher Butler (Audur), Myron Hedderson (Jennifer), Jason Noseworthy (Robin), Shelley Duff (Gary), Rick Noseworthy (Christina), Jennifer Abbott (Wade), Kristine Hamlyn, Stephen Hamlyn (Megan), Jessica Butler (Luke), Tyler Butler, Liam Butler, Madison Donovan, Matsae Hadgu, Blake Butler (Jaime), Hayden Butler (Ivana). Predeceased by Ian Hedderson.

GREAT GRAND-CHILDREN

TJ Butler, Maddison Burton, Brooklyn Burton, Sara Thrastardottir, Injibjorg Thrastardottir, Daniel Christophersson, Julianna Christophersdottir, Natalie Noseworthy, Katelin Noseworthy, Carley-Rae Duff, Jaela Duff, Penny Cooke-Noseworthy, Duke Cooke-Noseworthy, Willa Cooke-Noseworthy, Addison Abbott, Merisa Abbott, Grant Abbott, Connor Hamlyn, Hudson Butler, Sadie Butler, Nola Butler, Stetson Butler.

Special Mention: Sherry Gulliver , Dave Gruchy, Uncle Tommy, Roy Pike, June Knight

The family is very grateful to the staff on 5SB. You gave our Dad wonderful and kind care and we will never forget your support for him and our family.

There will be a visitation held at Carnell’s Funeral Home located at 329 Freshwater Road. The Visitation will take place on Sunday, August 9th, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 pm.
A Funeral Service for Harold will take place Monday, August 10^th, at 2:00 p.m. in the Carnell Memorial Chapel located at 329 Freshwater Road, with a burial at Kenmount Road Anglican Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice.