Whitney Pier
It is with devastating sadness that we, the family of Donald Leonard Butler, announce the peaceful passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Donnie passed in the early morning of Friday, April 10, 2026, at home at the age of 76.
Born in Whitney Pier on August 4, 1949, Donald was the son of the late Chesley and Frances (Gillespie) Butler.
Donnie leaves behind to mourn his loving wife of 55 years, Brenda (Gregory) Butler; daughter, Brandy; son, Dane (Jenn); cherished granddaughter, Chaylyn; and precious great-granddaughter, Kalea, His Pride & Joy. He is also survived by his sister, Karen (Gerald) Pino, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Besides his parents, Donnie was predeceased by his sisters, Ada (Tossie) MacQueen, and Ginger (Bob) Ryan, and brother, Chesley (Carmel) Butler.
Donnie was an avid fisherman who loved the outdoors and treasured his time spent with his closest friends. Hunting was his passion for many, many years.
Donnie took great pride in his 39-year management career with Sobeys before retiring at the age of 54. He later built his dream Log Cabin and enjoyed life surrounded by the things he loved. He will be deeply missed and forever held in our hearts.
A Celebration of Life for the late Donnie Butler will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Polish Village, Whitney Pier.
Donations in memory of Donnie may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia or charity of one’s choice.
The family would like to thank the 4D nurses, doctors & paramedics for all their compassion and care for the short stay Donnie had in Cape Breton Regional Hospital before Christmas.
“Sleep well Dad.”
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
Please accept my deepest condolences from myself and family.
From: Mike & Irma Gillespie
The Butler family
Very sorry to hear about Donnie’s passing. Got to know him in the mid seventies when we played hockey with the Ashby No Stars. Donnie was our best defenceman and a fine gentleman. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless.
From: Stan & Nicholette MacLellan
Very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you all.
Larry and Sandra Hrynick
To the Butler family my deepest condolences so sorry for your loss
My condolences to you Brenda and your family . Hugs to you and your.
Condolence to Brenda and Family. RIP Donnie 🙏
I am so very sorry for your great loss my deepest condolences to all the family
Sending much love, sincere condolences, and keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers! Donnie was an absolutely great guy and he will be very much missed!!! 💔💔💔🙏🙏🙏
My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with you all. A good Pier boy, Such a great guy. I’ll miss ya bud!
My deepest condolences to the family & friends of Donny.I worked with Donnie at Sobeys .He was a super great guy loveed listening to his hunting stories.He will be missed.
Sending Hugs and prayers to you all. Bless his heart. Donnie was a beautiful soul. ✨️✨️✨️🙏🙏🙏♥️♥️♥️
Very saddened when I heard of the passing of Donnie. I got to know Donnie very well having grown up on Muggah Street, Donnie on Mt. Pleasant Street. I was always welcomed into their home in particular one Christmas Eve that we will not talk about now but it was an eve to remember. To Brenda, Brandy and Dane our sincere sympathies. RSP friend. Whitney Pier has lost another great member of it’s community.
Condolences to family and friends on Donny’s passing. May your happy memories bring you comfort in the sad days ahead.
Dear Brenda & family, our condolences on the passing of a sweet kind man. Donnie was your soul mate Brenda. Hold your memories close to your heart and take comfort from your beautiful children. Donnie was a very special man. God Bless.
To Brenda, Brandy Dane and families. Please accept our condolences on Donnie”s passing.. A true gentleman, and Pier Boy, he will be missed. CheChe and I will have you in our thoughts and prayers.
I was very saddened to hear about Donnie’s passing. Having known him most my life, it’s hard to imagine a world without his steady presence, his kindness, and the quiet strength he carried every day.
My heart goes out especially to his loving wife. Brenda and their children Brandy and Dane the bond you shared was something truly special, and it was clear to everyone how deeply you cared for each other. I can only hope that the love you built together, and the memories you shared, bring you some comfort in this incredibly difficult time.
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Donnie will always be remembered, and he will always hold a place in hearts of many.
My heartfelt condolences to Brenda, Brandy & Dane on the passing of husband, father and grandfather. What a wonderful person Donnie was and was a pleasure to have known the whole family. May he rest in peace.
So sorry Brenda and family to hear of Donnie’s passing.Find comfort in knowing we care
So sorry Brenda and family to hear of Donnie’s passing.Find comfort in knowing we care.Jack and Debbie MacDonald(O’Dea)
Our deepest condolences to Brenda and your family on the passing of my old dear friend Donnie, I used to love visiting the Sobeys Stores when I was an executive and talking to Donnie he would always brighten my day. He was such a good man and a dedicated Sobeys employee that touched a lot of lives, anybody that knew him loved him, May you be out of your pain and rest in peace my dear friend. Joe & Cindy
Sorry for your loss. I first met Donny when we worked at the Joy supermarket on George St. Back in 1966 Great guy to work with. We lost a lot of people over the last few years from the pier. I am in Halifax for a week and today I drove past his log home perched up on the hill. My he rest in peace
We are so very sorry for your loss! We have many fond memories of Donnie. Most especially at our Horseshoe/Lawndarts tournaments. Dennis enjoyed many a fishing trip with Donnie as well. God Bless you all!
We are so very sorry for your loss! We have many fond memories of Donnie. Most especially at our Horseshoe/Lawndarts tournaments. Dennis enjoyed many a fishing trip with Donnie as well. God Bless you all!
Thinking of you all during this sad and difficult time. May you find comfort in your fond and loving memories.
I was very saddened to hear of Donnie’s death. I knew him and his family well about 60 yrs ago. His sister Karen & I were great friends. I also remember when he started dating you Brenda. The last time I spoke to him was when he worked at Sobeys in Sydney River. The same pleasant smile. Sending my deepest sympathy to you all at this time of loss.❤️
Brenda and family my deepest sympathies on the loss of Donnie . Knew him since we worked together at the Joy Supermarket. He was a wonderful man Love and hugs to you all.
Brenda and family my deepest sympathies on the loss of Donnie. Knew him since our days working at the Joy Supermarket he never changed in all the years that I knew him . He was a wonderful man Love and hugs to you all.
I am so very sorry for your great loss my deepest condolences to all the family
Brenda, Brandy and Dane sending you my deepest condolences to all and your families. Donnie was filled with kindness and showed you how to walk straight up with strength. This is what I always noticed watching him and Brenda walk Victoria Rd,
Rest easy Donnie and May Light Perpetual Shine on You
Brenda and family I’m so sorry to hear of Donnie’s passing. Condolences to you all, may Donnie Rest In Peace.
Brenda and family sorry for your loss . Condolences to all your family
We are very sorry for your loss.
Bert and Maurina Lewis
My deepest condolences going to the family of Donnie, such a wonderful soul. RIP
So sorry for your loss Our sincere condolences to all the family
Brenda and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in your time of sorrow. Hold on to all the loving memories you have of Donnie and know that he will surely be missed.
My heartfelt Condolences to Donnie’s wife Brenda and their children…we grew up together and I will always remember him as a close friend. Donnie was a real gentleman and we had many laughs together.He will be missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him…Rest Easy my friend until we meet again….God Bless!!!
Brenda , Brandy, Dane ,Karen and all the Butler Family .I sorry to hear of Donnie’s passing. Donnie was a great guy and coworker . He leaves behind lots of good memories . May he rest in peace
Please accept my sinsere condolen to your family from myself and my family.
Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss from myself and family.
My sincere condolences to you Brenda , Dane and Brandy. This a very tough loss to deal with . May hi soul Rest In Peace. To Butler family my thoughts and prayers are with you as well.
Our deepest condolences to Brenda,Dane ,Brandy,, and all your family on the loss of your loved one Donnie,, You are in our thoughts and prayers. ,,,
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Our deepest condolences Brenda, our thoughts and prayers are with you
Adrian & Helen Martell
Sorry to here about Donnie’s passing our deepest condolences to u Brenda &the Family Donnie was a wonderful guy we all had so much fun at the Kmart parties he will be missed by all who knew him sorry we didn’t get to the service thinking of you tc Selena &Albert Rose