Clifford Arnold Butterfield

Clifford Arnold Butterfield

November 12, 1946 – January 7th, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Clifford (Cliff) Butterfield at the age of 78. Cliff passed surrounded by family on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 in Ste Rose Hospital after a long battle of Diabetes, Parkinson’s and Cancer.

Cliff was born in 1946 in McCreary, Mb to Wilfred Butterfield and Hazel (Dunning) Butterfield. They later gave birth to his brother, Allen (Trudy) Butterfield. The boys grew up on the farm south of town and Cliff attended the Reeve School. Cliff loved skating and spent hours at the McCreary Rink. Cliff quit school after the passing of his father and started in the work force. He moved in with Mac and Allice McNarland (his aunt) at about 14 years old to work on the farm. He continued from there to work as a farm laborer for the years that followed. He started to work construction jobs and later was hired as a back hoe operator while working for Norman Shineton. Cliff always said, “I have had a number of bosses, but me and that back hoe stayed together”. Cliff spent hours in his back hoe helping construct Mount Agassiz Ski Resort. Once completed, he spent his winters grooming there. Cliff met the love of his life, Irene Sellman, in about 1976. They lived together at “Majcher” where they started to raise their family. In December, 1980 they purchased land east of town where they moved in a CPR bunk house. It is here where they established their farm; raising cattle, pigs, and chickens. They often worked with their neighbor Lawrence Zapshala putting in crops over the years that followed. Cliff continued to do seasonal work with the back hoe while operating the farm. Cliff purchased a saw mill and worked hard milling lumber. He used it to construct many of the buildings on the farm that are still standing. In 2006, they sold the farm to their son Owen, and moved to town. He had various jobs to keep himself busy.

Clifford enjoyed the outdoors. He always had a new snowmobile to ride in the winter and a quad to get away on in the summer. He loved fishing and hunting as well. Most of all he enjoyed being able to do these with his sons. He enjoyed being in the bush cutting wood and still wanted to get out there even when he was unable. Beyond all other hobbies, he most enjoyed doing Karaoke. Cliff and Irene ran a bit of a side business going around to all the small towns, legions, and other events. It is there he would try to convince everyone to get up and sing. He always had something smart to say when you told him no. Cliff had a great sense of humour and was always the life of the party.

He is survived by wife Irene Sellman, sons Jamie (Tamara) Sellman and Owen (Jen) Sellman, and his brother Allan (Trudy) Butterfield. Clifford loved having his grandkids around and having them crawl up on his knee. Blaine (Amanda) and great-grandkids Elise and Jeanne, Lauren (Riley), Brandt, Ella, Bryden, and Westin. Cliff’s sister-in-laws’, Doreen (Dave) Irwin, Donna (Charlie) Moar, Barbara Sellman, Sandra (Phillip) Szymesko, and Rosemary (Conrad) Anderson. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who will dearly miss him.

Cliff is predeceased by his parents, Wilfred Butterfield and Hazel (Dunning) Butterfield, Irene’s parents, William (Bill) and Dorothy Sellman, and brother-in-law Charlie Moar.

After struggling with Diabetes, Parkinson’s, and Cancer,  Clifford is now free. Your wife and family will forever remember all of our great memories we have made over the years.

A special thanks to Berry Penner who was both a great friend and caregiver who made it possible for Cliff remain at home longer which was always his wish. Thanks to Lucien Guitard for the many hospital visits, meals, and always being there to help when Cliff was at home. Thanks to Dr. Gudmundson for taking special care of him, the PCH staff, and to the all the nursing staff in Ste Rose Hospital who took special care for both Cliff and our family in the final days.

A Celebration of Clifford’s life was held on Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 at 2:00pm in the McCreary Community Centre, McCreary, MB.

Following the service, a private placement of Clifford's urn in the McCreary Cemetery Columbarium took place. 

Flowers are gratefully declined.  Should friends so desire, donations may be made in memory of Clifford to Parkinson Manitoba