Never Forgetting Where He Started and Never Failing to Help Anyone in Need
Joe Butler never forgot where he came from and never stopped helping others get to where they needed to be.
Born in Rexton, New Brunswick, in 1939, Joe grew up with humble roots, one of many siblings in a household that knew hardship intimately. He often shared vivid stories of collecting bottles as a boy or the rare excitement of finding a full tube of baloney in the fridge. “We were just like the kids in Angela’s Ashes,” he would say. Those early experiences didn’t harden him; they shaped him into a man who led with compassion, integrity, and understanding.
Joe’s path took him to Ottawa, where he mastered his automotive skills and became the ultimate “car man.” Eventually, he moved to Kamloops, where he met the love of his life, June. In 1975, with only two cars and a shared dream, Joe and June opened Butler Auto & RV Centre, a business built on quality, trust, and old-fashioned hard work. Over the decades, their business grew into a cornerstone of our community, while Joe and June’s humility always stayed the same. Whether it was helping someone start their own business or quietly offering a hand to those struggling, Joe and June never hesitated to give back.
Joe may have had a gruff, no-nonsense exterior, but inside was a gigantic, gentle heart. When their son Glen was faced with cardiac complications, Joe and June were deeply moved by the care he received at Royal Inland Hospital. In 2017, they gave $200,000 to support cardiac care, determined to ensure that other families could access the same level of life-saving support close to home. Another meaningful project was the Butler Community Garden on the Northshore where anyone could come and enjoy fresh organic vegetables. These gifts were made from a place of deep gratitude and love for their community.
In his final days, Joe found himself relying on the care of his family physician, Dr. Lawrie, and the incredible staff at Royal Inland Hospital and Kamloops Hospice. This time, his family was on the receiving end of the compassion he had spent a lifetime offering to others. Surrounded by the people he loved, Joe passed peacefully on June 27th, 2025.
Joe’s legacy is more than a generous donation or a successful business. It’s in the countless lives he quietly changed, the deep and enduring love he shared with June, and the belief that no matter where you come from, you can always make a difference. The RIH Foundation is honoured to carry forward his spirit through the care his gifts continue to provide.
Joe Butler’s name will not fade from memory. Humble, impactful, and deeply human, his life is a lasting reminder of how one life can touch so many.