HOWARD Butterworth was a Rotarian who gave “130 per cent” to the service club, co-founded office goods business Pakstat and named the big fish at Wodonga’s Sports and Leisure Centre.
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Mr Butterworth had diverse interests but at heart he was an advocate for Wodonga and its community.
The father of two died at his Wodonga home on Monday at 66 after a battle against throat and lung cancer.
Friend of 30 years Gayle Hobden said Mr Butterworth was dedicated to the Rotary Club of Wodonga West, having served as president and secretary.
“He was very Wodonga oriented, the thought of moving over to Albury was non-existent,” Mrs Hobden said.
“He was a Wodonga man through and through.”
Former Wodonga West club president Roy McNeil said Mr Butterworth’s commitment to Rotary had seen him receive a Paul Harris Fellowship.
He helped form bike tracks at schools and individually raised $15,000 for projects that included a new Lake Hume patrol boat and a bus for the elderly.
“His great contribution was that he was 130 per cent a
Rotarian,” Mr McNeil said.
“He didn’t understand why people would put up their hand and not do a job properly.
“He always said ‘if you put your hand up you’ve got to do the job right’.”
Mr Butterworth’s wife of 44 years, Lyn, said she would like him to be remembered as generous.
“I’m sure most people would describe Howard as outgoing and friendly with a good sense of humour and community minded,” Mrs Butterworth said.
“He loved to travel, especially cruising and meeting new people.
Mr Butterworth grew up in Melbourne and married there in 1970 before moving to
Wodonga in 1980.
In 1988, Mr Butterworth co-founded packaging and stationery business Pakstat.
He retired in 2007, but had since worked casually for
Arnold’s Fruit Market.
In 2006, Mr Butterworth won a naming competition for a big decorative fish left over from the Melbourne Commonwealth Games and put on display at the leisure centre.
He named it Kingston after the capital city of Jamaica, which had been paired with Wodonga.
Four years ago Mr Butterworth was diagnosed with throat cancer and he had a
laryngectomy 14 months ago.
He was recently diagnosed with lung cancer.
Mr Butterworth is survived by his wife, two sons and five grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at the Conway Funeral Home in Wodonga at 2pm today.
Note: This article has been altered since being published in today's newspaper due to the time of the funeral service being wrong. The correct time is 2pm.
