Alvin "Butch" Aloysius MacFarlane
November 2, 1931 - Saturday, October 7, 2017

Oh take me where, the hockey players face off down the rink……

Butch MacFarlane passed away in Calgary AB on October 7, 2017 knowing he was loved. He will be deeply missed by his devoted wife of 25 years Florence, the Turner family and many great friends he made throughout his nearly 86 years of life. Special thanks to all his friends who provided their love and support throughout this difficult time.

Born in Glace Bay Nova Scotia on November 2, 1931, Butch spent his life doing what he wanted to do. He didn’t want to work in the mines, so he left Nova Scotia with a cigar box full of sandwiches and $1.68 in his pockets and headed to PEI to pick potatoes. He didn’t like picking potato’s so he enlisted with the Canadian Military and proudly served with the first, second and third battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) for 20 years. He fought in the Korean War for 13 months and served 3 years in Germany with the Canadian NATO forces. Butch was also with the second battalion PPCLI Airborne. How he loved to jump out of planes….even with a broken ankle. Throughout his life, his friends from the military became part of his family and were extremely important to him.

After retiring from the military, Butch began his next career working for MacDonald’s Consolidated (Safeway). He retired as Warehouse Superintendent after 23 years.

As a charter member of the Korean Veterans Association Unit # 54, he was very active and held many positions, most recently as Secretary Treasurer. He provided support and guidance to many Korean veterans in need. In 2011 he was presented with the Minister of Veteran’s Affairs commendation for his work with the KVA.

Butch was passionate about hockey! Playing it, Coaching it, Watching it. He loved it all. He was always very proud of the young men he coached both in the military and junior B levels in Calgary and was quick to tell a story when he saw one of his boys on TV. He was always thrilled when he thought he influenced some of these young men. He was highly respected by the junior hockey community in Calgary. One of Butch’s greatest recollections was talking about his trips travelling to World Junior Hockey in Russia, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Helsinki. His eyes well up with pride when speaking of a team he took to Switzerland in 1990 to play in a tournament over Christmas break. His trips to watch hockey at the Olympics was one of his greatest memories.

Anyone that knew Butch knows that he had a great sense of humour and could make us all crack up with one well chosen word that may or may not have contained some profanity.

As you can tell, he loved to travel and loved it even more once he met Florence. They both waited many years to find their soul mate and married almost 25 years ago. They loved to travel together. Their trips included Africa, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hong Kong and lots of trips to Mexico. He would be quick to tell you that the best years of his life were with Florence by his side.

There are many of us who are grateful to call him Uncle Butch and many military friends that were honoured to serve with him. Rest in Peace, you have earned it.

Happy Trails Butch

A Celebration of Butch’s Life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion - Centennial Branch 285 (9202 Horton Rd SW, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, October 12, 2017 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Alvin please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.