Cliff passed away at the Vancouver General Hospital on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at the age of 81 years.
He is predeceased by his parents Dorman and Violet Butt; infant brother Renwick; brothers-in-law Jack Earle and Gord Pike.
Left to mourn are his sisters, Maxine Earle (Danny Carew), Verda Pike; his brothers, Chris (Francis), Gord (Sandra), Larry (Wendy), Derrick (Jenny); many nieces and nephews as well as countless friends.
Cliff grew up in Winter Brook, Newfoundland & Labrador in a large family. He spent his working life as a French teacher, with most of that time in Vancouver after moving there in 1985. He taught one year at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary and then moved to King George Secondary for the rest of his career. Cliff was a lively teacher, an avid traveller, an excellent cook and had an infectious zest for life. He easily made friends wherever he went and was never at a loss for words.
Cliff had an 8-year battle with cancer and never lost his positivity. He will be sorely missed.
Dear Cliff: “Long may your big jib draw.”
A celebration of life will be planned at a later time.
