Bret built our house after a fire. It turned out more amazing than I could have dreamed of. He has so many recommendations that turned out to make it so special. He was a good man, visited with me and tell me about his new girlfriend who ended up being his wife soon thereafter. I just found out he passed when I was trying to locate him for more work. He was so young. I am so sad for his baby girls and for him not to get to see them grow. I am sure he is watching down.

It’s been a few years since Bret has passed and I think of him and his family often.  Bret was a special person and he made the world better. He is missed by many and never to be forgotten. Thanks for everything ol boy!

May God bless the soul of Bret Butterfield. He was such a good father to his two daughters Brianna and Brooklyn. As well as a beloved son, husband and friend to so many. He was a hard worker who took great pride in his work and craftsmanship. He inspired many and had a beautiful smile. Bret loved his friends and when he wasn’t working, he spent time going paddling, fishing and biking. Bret was loved by many and we are proud and fortunate to have had him as a member of our family. We will hold him in our hearts and he will be sorely missed. Let us all provide as much love and support as we can to his family and each other.  Bret would want that. God bless.

Another picture of this band of brothers with Bret at David's wedding reception.  Beautiful memories.  

Sharing my picture of Bret at David's wedding. He was the best man. 

Picture from a birthday party.  Precious memories of "da guys".  Love them all.  

This is Bret’s Auntie Lorie (twin sister to his mother Louie). Whenever I think of Bret, I think of sunshine and my son who shared many of the same physical attributes as Bret. Consequently, I loved visiting home knowing I would see Bret and be able to give him a hug. It was like hugging my son. Bret was always upbeat, smiling, welcoming and concerned about others. He had a gentle spirit and I will miss him so much until we meet again.  My family - Daron, Amy, Katie and Uncle David - send their love to you too. 

My favorite memory of Bret is from my wedding. I remember watching him on that dance floor. He owned it! I had no idea my cousin had those moves! Haha 
Thankful for his love, how genuine he was, and for always making everyone he interacted with feel special. He was one of a kind, for sure. I miss him so much, but I find peace knowing that he is with our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. Until we meet again, cuz! I love you ❤️


We, the Velasquez Family, lived across the street from Bret’s maternal grandparent's house Mr & Mrs. Glans (such sweet grandparents). We have so many wonderful childhood memories of Bret. 

In those days, we played in the front yard, played baseball in the street, and hide and seek until dark. Bret went to every one of our home birthday parties. My brothers said Bret had the best toys too. 

I remember crazy hats day during summer school at Harborside (we used to go to summer school for fun). We each got to make a fun/crazy hat to bring home. I’ve attached a picture (circa 1975-76) and Bret is right in the middle.

We love you Bret. May you Rest In Peace ☦️❤️🙏💐

Dear family: My heart goes out to all of you during this very sad time.  When we would visit, Bret was so warm, friendly and sincerely glad to see us. His smile lit up the world. I was looking for a picture at Mission Bay. Bret was on one side of me and Jeff on the other. Can’t find that but I found this beautiful one. Love to everyone. Priscilla, Denis, Bob, Mary, Kathy, Wes, Nancy and Jane 💓

I’m blessed to have had a cousin like Bret! All the memories we shared from the days at Grandmas house and the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners! Such great times! I’ll never forget them and never forget my Cuz! Love you forever Bret!

Bret was the most precious nephew an Aunt could ever wish for…He was a light in this world to all who knew him. He was selfless & respected others! He is now with HIS Lord & Savior in Heaven where the light is so bright from GOD that there’s never darkness…we cry because we miss him, but rejoice because as believers in Jesus Christ, we will join him….I love the song: 🎵If you could see me now, I’m walking streets of gold & you’d know I’ve seen his face🎵! Keep in mind there are no💧in Heaven. I love you so much, Bret!




I will always remember what a great teacher he was. Always willing to be so generous with his time, to be kind, and to be patient. And if his smile wasn’t encouraging enough, he always made sure his words were. He’d manage to always squeeze in some fun and some humor too. It took me quite some time to realize a Jackalope is a mythical animal! 

And what a fantastic General Contractor he was. We’ve all seen him create indoor and outdoor spaces that were so incredibly beautiful. He was so gifted and talented. His attention to detail was impeccable and it showed in everything he built and created. 

I look back fondly on our high school days, and all the days since, of all the memories our group of friends share with Bret. We all shared such a great friendship and awesome memories of pep assemblies, school dances, fishing, swimming, camping, going TJ & Rosarito, and trips to the desert and the river. And when we all were finally 21, going Downtown or to Pacific Beach for a little night life & dancing. 

Bret will be dearly missed, and never forgotten. He was by far the kindest, most generous person I’ve ever known. He was a true friend to all he met.  I’ll cherish my memories of him always. 


Dee Dee (Dyan) Kirschenman


Almost everything I know about the outdoors, I learned from Bret. He was such a GREAT outdoorsman! He taught me so much of what I still carry with me today. 

One of the earliest things he taught me was how to fish; from the freezing cold comfort of sitting in an aluminum boat at o’dark thirty in the San Diego Bay to being waist high with waders on in the cool, clear, stream waters of the Sierra Mountains. He also taught me how to clean the fish and cook it up on an open fire with lemons, butter and salt & pepper, his famous recipe; all wrapped up tightly in a nice foil package. And I still hear him say “don’t touch the sides of the tent” to this day whenever I tent camp. The rain and the dew find a pathway into the tent when you touch the sides, something of course I never knew until Bret taught me. 

I remember him also having a really good time, at my unknown expense, in the Sierra Mountains telling me a Jackalope was a real animal and to be on the lookout for one because they can be really hard to spot. I think he even told me they were endangered. I believed him, why would I not? He was so convincing! I seriously looked and looked for one the entire trip.

Bret also taught me how to knee board and water ski at Martinez Lake and Hidden Shores. That was no easy task but he was patient and always encouraging, and sure enough, within no time at all I was up and skiing on that early morning glass. Glamis is where Bret taught me how to ride a quad and what a two stroke motorcycle engine was. All stuff girls should know of course, according to Bret. 

He taught me how to properly spray paint too. Anyone can spray paint, but there is a technique to successfully spray paint. All those hours of sitting in the garage while he built one of his first dune buggies, I had to learn something! Whenever I spray paint, which is pretty often, I think about those days and all those hours so many of us spent in that garage with him.




Absolute definition of what a friend is and should be, he will be missed by all who knew him.

I remember having our annual Easter Brunch at Murrietas, Bret taught me that when you scrunch up a straw wrapper and put a drop of soda on it, it would expand! Like a worm. My mind was blown by that. I was so little and he took the time to teach me that, I thought it was so cool...Another memory I have of Bret was when he lived in the house above us on Randy Lane, I would always walk up to his house to bug him. One time I walked up there and looked in the living room window. He was standing there singing karaoke all by himself. I thought it was hilarious and would make fun of him for years.  I loved to bug Bret and mess with him. He promised to take me to Bullweinkles( now Boomers),  whenever I would see him I would ask him to take me. We never went, but it was our special inside joke that we had.  I remember all the desert trips, going 90+ on sand highway in his buggy. I remember feeling so cool, Bret always made us feel like we were the bee knees in the desert.  I will always miss theses times, Im so thankful for him being my Big Cuz! 

My favorite picture of Bret and I.. Love him so much💕

I am so sorry for your loss. Bret was special, caring, energetic, and always smiling. There are no words to take away your pain. Sending you healing thoughts during this time. Bret will be missed and always remembered by me for his creativity. I am honored to have known him. May you find comfort in the his love for you and the memories held within your heart.  Sending you healing thoughts during this time. You and your family will be in my prayers today and always. 

Bret I miss you so much… you were more like my little brother than my nephew.  When I see something beautiful I will see you. When I laugh I will remember you. You brought so much joy and adventure to my life.  Thank you…  I love you.

I loved our family summer vacations when we would drive down to see our extended family. Bret was always so fun to be around, always smiling and I can hear his soft, kind voice to this day. A random memory I have from being down in Chula Vista ... Bret had a bag of pistachios and I had never seen such strange green nuts! So ever since then. every time I eat pistachios, they take me right back to my cool cousin Bret, standing there on Jefferson Street where Grandma and Grandpa Glans lived, sharing his pistachios with me. Love ya Cuz! 

I had you listed in my phone as Butter... and in my heart as a true friend. We shared many fun times but you were also there for harder times... as a person I truly trusted and could talk to.  You were endlessly funny, kind and generous. You loved your wife and daughters so much and you were always there to support everyone around you.  Biggest heart ever!! I'll miss you always. 

Our deepest condolences to Bret’s family: wife, daughters and our dear friend Louie.  

He was a wonderful young man and we hope that your memories sustain you during this difficult time.  He would want you to continue your lives with joy and love and integrity as he lived during his time with you.
With care & love: Lorraine, Bob, Dan & David Fidrych

You are such a special part of our family Bret .  You are always in our hearts. 💕❤️🙏

Bret, I will always remember the life long friendship you have had with my cousin Tim. 
I remember getting you and Tim a keg for a party that you two were having.  You were always so happy.  I still can’t believe that you have passed.  We all lost a very special person the day you passed away.  Rest In Peace Bret!

Dear baba Marshmallow, I miss you so much and I will never forget you and I will always know you in my heart. I love you so much. 
💕😭❤️🥰😘😗😙😚😞🙏🏻👂🏻👀🧔🧑🔧👼🏻


Love your youngest daughter Brooklyn Paige Butterfield


Daddy Marshmallow  love you. I have only known you for 10 years and I wish I have known you longer. I had so many good times with you. I will always remember you. I will always visit you and I will always keep you in my heart. I love you so much to the moon and back. I will never replace you. ❤️😭. I will never forget you. 

LOVE: Your oldest daughter, Brianna.   TO:Baba❤️😘😭


I will never forget working alongside Brett.. Brett willI  always be a part of my business🙏🏾
I will always love you brother🤙🏽



Loved life and always smiling <3 We all took my  girls to the desert when they were little and rode in the buggy! He remodeled our bathroom and did amazing work. we almost caught the tree on fire.. Oops lol we survived.  So many more memories. Just a GREAT MAN <3

Bret’s grandmother & I would sing this to him when he was a baby:  “On the day that you were born the angels got together & decided to create a dream come true. So they sprinkled gold dust in your hair & golden starlight in your eyes of blue.”
I love you, my beautiful boy! …Mom

I grew up around the corner from Bret and he was always welcome in our home.
Mom and Dad loved bret and his smile, 
Bret was a great athlete and one heck of a craftsman.
Bret helped me build my River house and built my patio and did the landscape at my jamul.
The first time i used a computer was with Bret.
My first trip to Colorado and Cabo was with Bret.
We had so many great times together growing up.
Was always there and i could count on him.
The Word Sweet and Pilgrim i will always think of Bret Butterfield
Gone to soon thank you for always being you
Tell we meet again
Love u 
Eddie Campos
 
 

It's Taco time!!! 
W.W.WB.D
What Would Bret Do?
He knew the answers to everything.  So everytime I was stuck in a bind I'd tell myself.  W.W.B.D.
Love you my friend.  

I'm so sorry for your loss. Bret will be missed. I think of him every time I look at my barbecue.

Sadness engulfed us the moment we learned of Bret's passing. Our deepest condolences from Allan & Kathy Asay.

OBITUARY

Bret Thomas Butterfield

April 4, 1970 – September 20, 2021

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services