Chris spent his life split between northern England and the West Coast of Canada in Victoria on Vancouver Island. Chris passed away July 18th, 2023. He is survived by his sons Dominic and Thomas, their wives Jayne and Danika, his amazing grand-daughters Ada, Isla, Lillian and Pearl who adored him.
Chris was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire to Ada Butcher and Frank Bradshaw. He spent some of his younger years in Fazakerley Cottage Homes with his older brother David. With help from the community, Chris and David were reunited with Ada and his sisters Sheila, Dorothy and brother Ronnie. He grew up in Garston, Liverpool and enjoyed the vibrant music, social, and football scene in Merseyside. He was an avid Liverpool FC supporter and traveled with the team across England and Europe.
As a young man, Chris met his wife Josie at a dance. Chris and Josie were married in 1972. Chris was trained as a bricklayer on a government training scheme. He then traded in his spirit level and trowel to become a fireman in the Cheshire County Fire Brigade. He then took his skills in first aid to work as a first responder and safety officer at ICI’s Rocksavage Plant and then onto Fiddlers Ferry Power Station in Widnes.
In 1990, Chris and family decided to emigrate to Victoria BC, Canada and quickly made new friends and connections. Chris had a fine eye for porcelain and fine furniture, and turned the hobby into a business. He organized numerous antique shows and even had an antique store on Fort Street. He also started and maintained a successful book distributing business before becoming a commissioner. Chris was also a coach and board member of Cordova Bay Soccer Club. He loved interacting with his players, teams, and community. He loved the beautiful game.
Chris was an extremely generous soul. He enjoyed making connections and talking with people. He loved his friends, family, and especially his gorgeous grand-daughters who he always had presents, money, and candy for. They were his world. He was very proud of his family and he told them often. He will be missed and always loved. YNWA, Dad…xx
So sad to hear the passing of your dad. He certainly was a bright light and would always have us laughing, his scouse sense of humour was always front and centre. He always made time to stop and chat to us. Keep your memories of happier times close to you all at this difficult time. Thinking of you all. 💕YNWA, RIP Chris.💕
Dom and family. What a wonderful tribute to your dear father. Doug and I are thinking of you with our love and sympathy.
Dom and family. What a wonderful tribute to your dear father. Doug and I are thinking of you with our love and sympathy.
Lovely words Dom. Sending love to you all and I’m sure you’ll have many happy memories of your Dad to help all of you through this very sad time. Lots of love Pat and family, Widnes xxx
My sincerest and deepest condolences to Dom, Thomas, and the entire Butcher family.
I was fortunate to have played on Cordova Bay United . Coach Christopher approached coaching as seriously as a premier league coach. However, his method was to understand the individuals of the team, their personalities, what makes them tick, strengths/weaknesses, chemistry, communication, etc.
he tinkered with positions, and gradually put a line up together he continually refined. What the players respected was his approach which made the beautiful game fun. As well his incredible knowledge of the game generated keen interest by his players to work on certain plays, set pieces, strategies etc.
He was dedicated to the team, and the players, in turn the players gave their best under coach Butcher. He made everyone work hard, practice like we played, and always kept a positive attitude. Even when the team was in a difficult game, he always managed to keep the guys calm, he would make adjustments be it strategy, formation, or subs and most often time his changes turned the result around.
In the first few years the team was casual, and not always focused. But in short order, coach implemented a philosophy, and offered his time to build a team that went on to be league and cup winners. Every player that played on Cordova bay United had a positive impression of Coach Butcher, he will be missed but not forgotten.
Happy memories of Chris….he was a unique person with a cracking sense of humour.
Lovely tribute to him from his family and deepest sympathies from ours.
Nick Anne Jumbo and Lotty Northeast.
What a full life . What a legacy . Beautiful tribute and photos . #YNWA . Deepest condolences to the great Butcher family.
Grace and I send our deepest condolences. We both lost our parents decades ago.We know what you must be feeling now.
My Dear Uncle Chris,
I have so many fond memories of you growing up, you were to me a ‘gentle giant’. I remember visiting you all, you, auntie Josie, Dominic and Tom and having so much fun. You will always be in my heart and never forgotten. Love Victoria, Lydia and my beloved John may you rest in peace x
My Dear Uncle Chris,
I have so many fond memories of you growing up, you were to me a ‘gentle giant’. I remember visiting you all with my dad (David) you, auntie Josie, Dominic and Tom and having so much fun. You will always be in my heart and never forgotten.
I share your loss, Dom, Tom, auntie Josie and all your family. With love Victoria, Lydia and my beloved John may you rest in peace x
Butcher Family,
My deepest sympathies for the loss of your beloved Dad and Granddad. Chris was a lovely man with a heart of gold. We were good friends for many years and I will miss him dearly. I know I will think of him often and it will be with great fondness.
Leslie B.
Tom, Dom & families . Lovely words about your Dad . John loved his uncle Chris and I could see why . He was always friendly and great company .Rosa and zach enjoyed his sense of humour and playfulness . We have happy memories of his visits . He will be missed. My heart goes out to you all . Much love Sarah, Rosa and Zachary xxx
Good bye my dear friend, having known each other from the ages of thirteen, growing up on the Highbank Drive estate.Playing football together in our mid teens, clubbing together and with mates, we had a little clique gowing. To your wedding to Josie, and reception on the boat on the Mersey.Sharing a flat in Merton Hall Road in Wimbledon Josie you me and Marcia.And a lot more years of good memories.Rest in peace old friend,God Bless you.X
Why can’t we all live forever ? Sadly it happens to us all eventually including Kings, Queens and celebrities, nobody is exempt but to those left behind the loss is so painful and only eases with time. Chris our Brother in Law who was a strong, kind and hardworking man will never be forgotten. RIP Chris from Ann, Richard & Family in the UK
Rest in peace, Chris.
So long Chris. You were a true, honest friend. I’ll always remember you.
To the extended Butcher family and Delcie. We are all deeply saddened by Chris’s passing. Growing up together in Garston was certainly a happy and indeed an exciting period of our lives. Although we all went to different secondary schools spread over the City our friendship never diminished. Chris was at the heart of this ,we played football Saturday and Sundays for our local teams but still had the energy to frequent the local clubs including the Cavern and Manchester’s Twisted Wheel always being able to obtain £ at the last minute! Chris and I were together at the Liverpool v Juventus European final and we were deeply shocked at the tragedy. Chris helped the authorities by supplying photos which was a great help at the time.
He valued friendship as a major factor in his life and he often explained his earlier years alongside his brother David were not the happiest and he was determined to love and cherish his grandchildren. So from all his friends Rest in Peace Chris
Peter
To the extended Butcher family and Delcie. We are all deeply saddened by Chris’s passing. Growing up together in Garston was certainly a happy and indeed an exciting period of our lives. Although we all went to different secondary schools spread over the City our friendship never diminished. Chris was at the heart of this ,we played football Saturday and Sundays for our local teams but still had the energy to frequent the local clubs including the Cavern and Manchester’s Twisted Wheel always being able to obtain £ at the last minute! Chris and I were together at the Liverpool v Juventus European final and we were deeply shocked at the tragedy. Chris helped the authorities by supplying photos which was a great help at the time.
He valued friendship as a major factor in his life and he often explained his earlier years alongside his brother David were not the happiest and he was determined to love and cherish his grandchildren. So from all his friends Rest in Peace Chris
Peter
Chris,
Sadly missed , a great friend going back more than 60 years . Memories of school times and football playing for the home guard team .many great memories of clubbing and dancing at twisted wheel,Cheshire lines and others. Great memories of following the reds where ever we could , can’t imagine you not been there .thoughts are with Dominic and Thomas and their families. Thinking of you all . Love mick & lin & family (liverpool)..
You were like a brother to me Chris,always took me under your wing,god bless,Y.N.W.A.,JK
Very sorry to learn of Chris’ passing. I knew him when I lived in Victoria through his friend Delcie.