Sam was born in 1933 to Henry and Katie (Neilson) Boutilier and lived all his life on Boutilier’s Lane in Port Caledonia.
Sam is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley (Simpson); three sons, Sam Jr. (Mary Favaro), Terry (Barbara MacQueen), John (Dawn Jessome) and daughter, Tracey (Paul Carrigan); brother, Gerald; sisters, Marilyn Crane (Willie) and Beverly. Sam was the proud grandfather of Katie Marie (Thomas) and Melissa (Jared), Alex (Amy), Jessica (Mike), Daniel, Tess, Sophie and Roy. He was a beautiful and loving great-grandfather to Abigail, Zoe, Emelia, Cloë and Abby, and a wonderful uncle to his many nieces and nephews here in Cape Breton and Fort McMurray. Sam is also survived by his in-laws, Georgina (Freddie) Holman, Jessie Burke, Alfred (Barbara Ann) Simpson and Francine Simpson.
He was predeceased by his brother, Jim and Jim’s wife Jean; nephew, Warren; sisters-in-law, Ruth Boutilier and Bernadette Simpson; bothers-in-law, Everett Grant, Sonny Burke, Jimmy and Kenny Simpson, and his wife’s parents, Alfie and Priscilla Simpson.
Sam was a loyal member of St. Luke’s Anglican Church of Port Caledonia where he served as Warden for more than 40 years and as a member of Parish Council.
For more than 40 years, Sam worked in the coal industry. Underground, he was a stone brusher until an injury caused him to retrain as draftsman. He continued his career with Devco until retirement.
His community interests led him to campaign in Municipal and Federal elections. In 1992, Sam was one of 20 Canadians that was invited to travel as part of the “Constitutional Conference” talking to fellow ordinary Canadians about the Charlottetown Accord.
Sam was a strong and fair union representative, and even in retirement he worked diligently with Devco pensioners to secure surplus retirement pension for miners. The miners were successful, and this was one of his greatest achievements.
Sam was an active member of the local school board and the County Recreation Committee and was proud of the opening of the new elementary school in Donkin and the County Recreation Centre.
Sam and Shirley loved adventure and travelled to England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Alaska, the Caribbean and all over Canada and the US. His greatest satisfaction was his visit to Vimy Ridge where he visited the gravesite of his namesake and uncle Pte. Samuel Dan Boutilier.
The family is grateful for the care and compassion provided by the Cape Breton Homemaker’s Society, Doctor Ley and the nursing staff at Glace Bay General Emergency Department and 3 East.
Visitation will be held at Patten Funeral Home, Glace Bay, on Monday, January 14 from 7-9 p.m. and Tuesday, January 15 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Sam’s funeral service will take place on Wednesday, January 16 at 2 p.m. at his beloved St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Port Caledonia. Reception to follow in the Church Hall.
Sam supported many community charities, including Terry Fox Run, Glace Bay Food Bank, Relay for Life and St. Luke’s Anglican Church. But please feel free to give to any loved charity on his behalf. He would be pleased.
We will miss him dearly and will cherish our memories of him always.
