Stephen Grant BUTLER

BUTLER, Stephen Grant March 15, 1964 - May 28, 2019 After a life well-lived, our beloved Steve left us far too early, on May 28, passing peacefully surrounded by family. He leaves behind his loving wife and soulmate Heather Ross, son Russell, daughter Sarah and her fianc? Kody, grandson Sawyer, mother Peggy, brothers Don (Tina Spencer) and Doug (Joy Ferguson), sister Kathy (Doug Young), several nieces and nephews and grieving members of the Waterloo Regional Police Service, with whom he served his community for 19 years. Steve was born in Ottawa, raised in Scarborough but spent most of his adult life in Waterloo Region. He began his dream job as a police officer at 35, earning a citation of merit for bravery and dedication to his community, and a citation of commendation for alertness and initiative. He described the officers he worked with as amazing and couldn't say enough about the police family. Steve met Heather in 2009 and their attraction was instantaneous. They married in 2012 and crammed their all-too-brief years together with frequent travel. They shared a love of geocaching, which they pursued wherever they went. A perennially disappointed Leafs fan, Steve began ice hockey at age five and never really stopped, playing old-timer's hockey with the same core group of people for 20 years. He was a force to be reckoned with at floor hockey, earning more bruises and stitches than he did from his police job. He was a cyclist and a runner, completing four half-marathons and several trail runs. Despite being diagnosed with a particularly aggressive and unforgiving cancer, Steve never lost his fighting spirit. He will be sorely missed by the many people who had looked forward to growing old with him. Steve's family will receive relatives and friends from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2019 at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, 519-749-8467. A celebration of Steve's life will be held in the chapel on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 11 a.m. Reception to follow. As expressions of sympathy, donations to The Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home). Visit www.henrywalser.com for Steve's memorial.