Alfred Phillip (“Butch” “Al”) Kirkham
Posted By Egan Funeral Home On July 7, 2013 @ 2:05 pm In Obituaries | 19 Comments
Kirkham Alfred Phillip (“Butch” “Al”)
Suddenly, quickly, bravely, at age 66 of cancer. Born in Lakeview, raised in Oakville, resided in Bolton but loved the cottage he built near Parry Sound. Mourning the loss of her partner but strengthened by his stoicism and calm is his wife of over 30 years, Martha Lasichuk. Bitten by the travel bug early in their marriage they were well-travelled and celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Butch leaves behind a large and close-knit family including mother Jessie, brothers George (Susan) and Steve (Sherry) and sisters Donna (Ron), Irene (Charlie), Judy (Steve) and Sue (Dave). He will be lovingly remembered by the Lasichuks, mother-in-law Sophie and brother-in-law Andrey and embraced their Ukrainian traditions. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends enjoyed a good laugh from his quirky stories centering on the outdoors, fishing, ice-fishing, hunting, maple-syrup making, travel and golf. He was known for his sense of humour so his quick come-backs and sharp repartee will be missed at “beer time.”
Al stayed close with friends from Ryerson as well as from his professional career. He founded Chamtec, a small noise control business which he later sold to spend more time on golfing, vegetable gardening and early retirement at the cottage. He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed the tasks and traditional activities each season brought.
The family is grateful for the compassionate care he received from medical, administrative and service staff on the Oncology and Palliative floors of Brampton Civic Hospital.
Cremation will take place at a private ceremony. The family extends an open invitation to join in a celebration in his honour at his beloved cottage on Saturday afternoon, July 27, 2013 at 2 p.m. If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to a local environmental group, animal shelter, wildlife charity or to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 1116 Crawford Street, Rosseau, ONP0C 1J0
Gone too soon
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Martha,
I am lost for words; please accept my deepest sympathy and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Al was a very special person, I am thinking of you and hopefully we will have the chance to get together to celebrate Al’s life.
Take care,
Love,
Brenda
Al Kirkham is one of those people larger than life, with a tremendous family, and perfect partner in Martha– who extolled the virtues of the outhouse at Loch Erne for many a year, thanks to Al! Visits to the cottage he built were wondrous and the treasures of the syrup enjoyed as far afield as Vancouver. We will miss him indeed. Catherine
Dear Martha, We were so sorry to hear of the passing away of our dear friend, Al. Please accept our deepest sympathy. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love Paddy and Arlene
We are so sad to hear the news and are thinking of you and your family at such a difficult time. Al will be sorely missed and our anniversary will be lacking that extra special cameraderie. Big hug to you Martha- our prayers are with you. Joyce & Peter
Words can’t express how much we will miss you Al. You were the comedy sidekick to all my silly stories. We’ve had so many happy times over the years with you and Marha. Loved your homemade sausages and Rhubarb pies. We’ll love you always and will watchover Martha.xx
Martha
The Burton Clan are so very sad to hear the news. Please accept our sincerest sympathy. The kids (Rachael, Grant, Scotty and Sandy) have so many fond memories from the cottage when they all were young, expecially the Thanksgiving dinners and big family get togethers. Butch will be missed very much by all of us. Love and hugs to you during this very difficult time and know you have a very special Angel watching over you. Look for the signs – they are there…
Martha…sometimes it helps a little to know that friends are there and to know that they care for you at this difficult time. Al was very much a part of the “Stevenson” family and will be very much missed. I hope this message helps in some small way. My deepest sympathy.
Neva
We’ll miss you Al. So many memories to treasure. Kids, meals, cottage, trips,special occasions, and most importantly laughter. You were such an important part of our lives. Our thoughts are with you.
Tom and Colleen
Martha, I’m sad to hear of Al’s passing. I never had the opportunity to meet him, but knowing you, I’m sure he was a very “special” person who complemented you in many ways. You shared your “love of life and family” together and you both “lived it to the fullest”.
With our thoughts and prayers.
Sam & Sharon
We are so sorry for your loss. Al was a gentle soul and we will miss his infectious chuckle, and great sense of humour. So many great times at both Loch Erne and 132 Albert St. Will always feel so glad that we enjoyed a week together in Curacao and I will never forget the few days one March helping with maple syrup. With our deepest sympathy and love.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss Martha. The few times I met Al he left a lasting impression, that’s for sure. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. God Speed
Martha and Kirkham family,
We just heard of Butch’s passing ,our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Larry,Pat,Sarah and Adam Kollee
Ottawa ontario
Martha, my sympathy at this difficult time, and my prayers.
Ruth at Christ Church Bolton
I met Al in the early 1980s through business.
A truly wonderful guy.My late father also thought very highly of him.
I did try to keep in touch with him & did some business with him up until he had retired.The man loved to go north fishing, it was a pet peeve when i gave him an order, Id say can i get that before you go to the cottage?
we lost a good one here.
my sincere sympathys to his entire circle of people & family, i shall miss him.
jimmy smith.
Milton ontario.
My dearest Martha,
As I was “keeping up” on the news and lives of you and Butch, I was devastated to learn of your soul mate’s passing. My thoughts, prayers and tears are with you now as well as fond memories of being with the two of you in your Bolton home.
One thing I know is the two of you knew not only how to work hard but also enjoy, love and appreciate your togetherness.
May God, your extended family and your extensive circle of friends see you through this tragedy.
Love
Nancy Pocock
Newmarket Ontario.
Sorry to hear of your loss.
Dear Martha,
We only just found out that Al has left us. We are so sorry for your loss. Jeff has many wonderful, warm memories of times spent with Al at Ryerson, and afterward. He was such a big-hearted man. He filled the room with laughter, wherever he was. Al will be missed by us all.
I hadn’t seen Butch since the 1960’s, but recall him as a very individualistic person. Always interesting! Sad for his family members who obviously will miss him. 🙁
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Because of you and your love for the game, we were able to enjoy many golf games as a foursome – in so many different places. Thanks for the encouragement and the memories. We will miss you – our friend.