Butch Pye

“See ya later” – Butch!

It is with heavy hearts, that we, the children of Ronald Earl “Butch” Pye announce  his passing on Friday, March 13, 2026, at his home, Harbourstone Enchanced Care at the age of 88 years. 

Dad was born on June 8, 1937, the eldest son of William “Bill” and Julia (Bond) Pye. He was the eldest of  seven children and the proud patriarch of the Pye family. Dad grew up in his beloved Florence, his home,  and his greatest memory that he spoke fondly of until his passing. He loved to reminisce about his days as  a young boy growing up on Pitt Street and knew every family by name from the Florence corner to the end  of the Shore Road. Many stories he told and captured in his many hand-written journals. 

Dad was a true Cape Breton Coal Miner and had a long coal mining career with Devco, working in the  Florence, Princess, Prince, and Lingan collieries before retiring at age 60. He was well respected by all  who worked with him. 

Dad was an avid athlete. He excelled in any sport he tried but particularly hockey and softball. He played  on softball teams in Florence. Once his playing days were over, he helped create the Florence Coaldusters  where he coached the elite young fast pitch players from Florence and the Northside. In hockey, dad was a  top player in the Cape Breton Intermediate League, having played with the Sydney Mines Ten Pennies and  the Bras d’Or Lakers. Dad was inducted into the Northside Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1965  Eastern Nova Scotia Champion Lakers. After his hockey playing days, dad turned to coaching Midget and  Juvenile teams from Florence where he passed on his knowledge to many players. Dad was also an  instrumental part of the group that started up the Colliery Hockey League to allow many coal miners an  opportunity to continue playing the game. 

Dad had many friends and enjoyed their visits to his garage to have a chat, watch him tinker with his car or  wash it spotless or to have a cold beer on a summer day. Dad was also an avid gardener and took great  pride in keeping his yard pristine and the vegetables plenty, always willing to send you on your way with a  bag of fresh yellow beans. 

Our dad was married to Francis (Shinners) Pye. Dad and Mom were married for 67 years and had seven  children. They had many friends over the years, particularly Edna and Ding MacDonald and Fred and Wilma  Osmond. They enjoyed playing card games on Friday evenings (referred to as “the fights”), they went to  dances at the Florence fire hall every Saturday evening, listening to Alex Lovell Band. Dad and mom also  spent many summers in the Margaree with family. Lots of fun afternoons and campfires surrounded by  children for many years. 

A longtime member of the Florence Legion Branch 83, dad served as treasurer and enjoyed many  Saturday afternoons chatting with friends. 

Dad is survived by his children, Ron (Wanda), Howie (Darlene), Rick (Barb), Derek (Helen), Vernon (Cathy),  Angela (Scott), and Adele (Frankie). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Brett (Rene), Stephen  (Natasha), Matthew, Jeff (Sarah), Jessica, Sara (Adam), Samantha (Aaron), Jonathan (Kaitlyn), Christopher  (Emma), Michael, Jennifer, Jack, Kylie, Nathan (Chelsea), Ryan (Ashley) and his great-grandchildren:  Bryson, Sophia, Emily, Gavin, Ayden, Aria, Benjamin, Naomi, Henry, Theo, Liam, Breagh and a great grandson on the way. 

Along with his children Dad is survived by his brothers Bill (Nell), Johnny (Vee), Bobby (Jim) and his sister  Wilma (Fred), sisters-in-law Linda Pye, Yvonne Struthers (ON), Ellen Cullen (BC), Angela Guy, Georgie  Cogan and many nieces and nephews that he thought so much of. Dad was predeceased by his parents, 

Bill and Julia Pye, his wife of 67 years, Frances (Shinners) Pye, his brother Neil, sister Judy, niece Sandy Pye,  nephews Kevin Parks and Bradley Pye, brothers-in-law David Guy, Jim Cogan, Alvin Higgins, Stan Struthers,  Sonny Cullen, Vernon Geddes, Doug Francis, Hughie Parks, sisters-in-law Mona Geddes, Lorraine Francis  and Rose McInnis. 

The family would like to express their appreciation for the care provided to our father while he remained at  home by home-care worker Wanda Lovell, the compassion and caring staff at Spanish Bay, Harbourstone  Enhanced Care, for the care our father received from all of the CCA’s, specifically Jenny who held dad close  to her heart, the nursing staff Sue, Jasmine and Joel for your care and always providing updates to Adele,  especially during dad’s last hours. Thank you to Dr. Hall and Dr. Colp for the care provided to dad. 

Rest in Peace, Dad. You were a wonderful father; we will miss you. 

Cremation has taken place. Funeral arrangements are under the care of J.M. Jobes Funeral Home, Sydney  Mines. There will be no visitation. A celebration of dad’s life will take place in the spring. Details to follow. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in memory of the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova  Scotia. Words of comfort and love can be forwarded to the family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com. 

Traces of You 

This morning I awoke to a world without you  

I thought of all the times  

You tried to teach me what you knew  

I stumbled to a mirror, my hair quite askew  

And in a funny curl Dad  

I found traces of you.  

One day I walked your garden path  

With my son of two  

He asked about our family, he asked about you  

I told him a few tall tales  

Not all the facts were true  

But in his childish laughter Dad  

I found traces of you  

And once I held your great grandson  

Our clan runs strong and true  

And in his dancing trusting eyes Dad  

I found traces of you 

Author: Son Derek Pye

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