He was the man that always had a shoulder to lean on, the man you could chat up in the grocery store, and you’d walk away with a smile. He was the man that played the piano beautifully, teaching his 3-year-old granddaughter the keys and chords while she sat on his lap, singing songs to accompany the music. He once brought a neighbor’s son and daughter to a voice coach, because as he said, they had so much potential. The voice coach told him when he was singing with them that he had such a beautiful voice it would make the angels weep. He could make you laugh at the silliest things, but you always walked away with a new idea in your head, and no, it wasn’t “This man is crazy!” He was the man that you loved, you liked or who just plain infuriated you. He was my husband for 53 years, the love of my life.

At a Rotary meeting, Dr. Peg Shively asked if anyone would be interested in driving a van full of kids from Northern Ireland around the area for two weeks. Of course, he volunteered. That was a life changing moment for both Butch and myself.

With their accents, Butch’s name sounded like “Bootch.” Hence, his license plate would forever read ‘Bootch.’ I remember going through customs at the airport in Northern Ireland on our first visit and hearing such a commotion – kids yelling, whistling, and applauding. We thought that there must be a rock star nearby. There wasn’t. They were there for Butch. We made fast friends there. We were at a cookout with families, both Catholic and Protestant. A gentleman came over to shake our hands and thank us for being in a program that brought these young people together. When this generation grows up, maybe the horrors of bombs and barbed wire will be gone, and we can finally live in peace. We both had tears in our eyes.

I remember when we hosted kids from Israel and Palestine here, for a much, much smaller version of Seeds of Peace. We were having dinner that first night and you could feel the tension in the air. I still don’t know how he did it but at the end of the night, Butch had them talking together and falling off their chairs with laughter.

Butch was born on Feb. 16, 1945. He died at home after a massive diabetic-related heart attack on Friday night, April 28, 2023. In the blink of an eye, he was gone. I am so grateful to the Kennebunk Fire Department, the ambulance crew – especially Chief Cooper and his excellent crew – for everything they did trying to save my husband. This town is very, very fortunate to have these wonderful souls, as well as Officer Bacchi of the Kennebunk Police Department for keeping calm and out of the way. I thank every one of them for not giving up.

Butch attended the University of Maine and Cal Tech. He appraised real estate for many years and then worked in robotics. He was a fantastic history buff.

Butch leaves behind his beloved and heartbroken wife, Pidge; his daughter, Teresa, and the lights of his life, granddaughter Emily and grandson Ben; his sister, Andrea and her husband, Martin; his beloved cats, Ozzie and Liz, who are still walking around the house mewing and looking for him.; the Curran and Fortier in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews; the Mason and Glenn cousins, nieces and nephews; his special friends, Paul and Cathy Camara, John and Ginny Sherman, Jan and Everett, and June and Todd.

He was predeceased by his parents, Dr. Dudley and Mary Elizabeth Maddocks Tyson; his sister, Deborah Tyson; his aunt, Susan Mason; his aunt, Rachel Glen; his uncle, Forest Tyson; and his uncle, Charles Tyson.

It all seems so surreal at the moment. I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone. If I have, please know that you have my deepest thanks for your efforts and kindness.

A celebration of Butch’s life is planned for the fall, his favorite time of year. An announcement will be made as the time nears.

To leave a message of condolence, please visit Butch’s Book of Memories at www.bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk.