Communicator

The Communicator — Fall 2013 Issue
OBITUARIES
Major Fred Butler-Caughie (R)
"Well Done Soldier"
"Promoted to
Glory" on August
3, 2013 at
Scarborough
General Hospital.
Lovingly remembered
by
wife Eileen,
children Kristen,
Jonathan,
and Aaron,
nephew
Thomas
(Dana), nine
precious
grandchildren,
several nieces,
nephews
and extended
family, predeceased
by
son Jason.
Proud of his
family, and his
Celtic heritage,
his was a
transformed life of dedicated service,
as a Salvation Army officer, primarily in addiction treatment centres,
and as a military chaplain. Courageous and compassionate,
a consummate officer and gentleman, he received the Queen Elizabeth
Jubilee Medal and the Canadian Forces Decoration for long
service as well as being named a Paul Harris Fellow.
Promoted to Glory
(April 18, 1953 – August 3, 2013)
Fred was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario. His life was an
embattled one which changed dramatically however, when in a
time of need he met a Salvation Army officer selling War Crys in a
tavern. Fred subsequently accepted Christ, attended the Mount
Hamilton Corps, worked at Lawson Ledge, a corrections half-way
house, entered the Training College in the “Proclaimers of the
Gospel” session, and became a Salvation Army officer.
Shortly after commissioning as an officer in 1986, he married Lt.
Eileen Butler. Theirs was a rich and ever-deepening friendship
and life of service together. Fred’s officership included corps appointments
(Tisdale, Saskatchewan, Fenelon Falls, Ontario); and
Social Services (Addiction Treatment Programs in Thunder Bay,
Saskatoon, Vancouver, Toronto); concluding as a Correctional and
Justice Chaplain in 2011.
Fred also became the first Salvation Army officer to serve as a
military chaplain since the Second World War, joining the Reserves
in 1993. He found great joy and fulfillment in this role and
upon retirement from 32 Signal Regiment, continued to produce
the regimental newsletter. He had been a Rotarian and a Knight
of St. John and also received the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medal,
the Canadian Forces Decoration for long service.
Fred’s was not an easy journey, but it was marked by courage,
bravery, determination and compassion. His witness was authentic,
“earthy” empathetic, and hopeful. He had known the dark
side and had seen the light. His faith, trust and intimate relationship
with God were everything to him. He was proud of his Celtic
heritage (a recent trip to Ireland with Eileen as a life highlight),
but he was especially proud of his family.
Fred is survived by wife Eileen, children Kristen, Jonathan and
Aaron, nephew Thomas (Dana), nine precious grandchildren,
several nieces, and extended family. He is pre-deceased by son
Jason.
Gord Moffat - Member of the Toronto Signals
Band
Mr. Moffatt passed
away June 2013. A
short time after his
death a special service
was held in his
honour by the Band
and various drum
corps associations
that Gord was a
member.
He is an avid musical
participant and
has instructed several
musical groups
over the last 10-15
yrs. His relationship
with the “Sigs” really
started in 1967
when he joined the
Second Signals offshoot
Canada’s
Marching Ambassadors
drum and bugle
corps. Unfortunately
that unit folded
in 1970 and
Gord pretty much
put the horn away
for 25yrs to concentrate
on raising a
family. In 2007,
Gord retired from
the competitive activity
and needed something to fill that hole. “Sigs” fit the bill perfectly
as they are not just a trumpet band, but a hybrid of military
band and drum and bugle corps.
Gord was proud to march in the highly respected and often
revered Toronto Signals Trumpet Band and enjoys the dotted line
connection with Canada’s military. He was always ready to step
up and vocally support our military efforts around the world and
make the small contribution of making the CO’s parades and other
such military events just a little better with the participation of a
smartly dressed, scarlet and brass band.
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