Butts, Rev. Basil

Rev. Basil Francis Butts was born on May 11, 1920 in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia to Charles Francis Butts and Amanda Beatrice Ling. He completed his theological Studies at Holy Heart Seminary in Halifa Nova Scotica between 1945 and 1949 and was ordained on December 17, 1949 at St. Joseph’s Seminary by Archbishop John Hugh MacDonald for ministry in the Archdiocese of Edmonton. In 1956 he completed his Bachelor of Education at the University of Alberta and began a career in Education.

He served as Pastor at Rocky Mountain House and Evergreen (1950-1951), Sylvan Lake and Missions (1951-1954), Sacred Heart Parish in Red Deer (1951-1953), Dayton Valley (1964-1965), Provost and Chauvin (1971-1974), St. James Parish in Edmonton (1974-1981), Evansburg (1981-1984) and Assumption Parish in Edmonton (1985-1989).

In addition to his priestly duties Rev. Butts was also served as the Assistant Chancellor and Secreaty to Archbishop MacDonald from 1954-1955, and a teacher at St. Mary’s Boys School in Edmonton (1956-1960), Principle at St. Mary's Boys School in Edmonton (1961-1964) and Chaplain at St. Joseph College on the University of Alberta Campus (1961-1962).

Rev. Butts retired from full-time ministry in 1989 and died on February 27, 1999 at St. Joseph’s Auxiliary Hospital where he was a patient for the last 4 years. Prayers were held on March 1, 1999 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Edmonton and his funeral Mass was celebrated on on March 2, 1999 at St. Andrews Catholic Church, Edmonton. He was buried in family plot in Marymount Cemetery, Guelph Ontario.