Ontario Bluesman Wayne Buttery Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Ontario Bluesman and Wasaga Beach Blues Festival Artistic Director, Wayne Buttery. He passed on July 6, 2020. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

His obituary:

BUTTERY ROBERT ‘WAYNE’ 2020
Passed away peacefully on Monday, July 6, 2020 at the age of 70. Wayne Buttery of Orr Lake, treasured husband and creative partner of Rita Johns-Schindler. Stepfather of Noel, Paul, Cathy and Julie and stepgrandfather to Sam, Eric, Jackalynn, Gary, Norman, Erin, Sean and Michael, all of whom he considered his own family. Predeceased by his wife, Catherine Parkinson. Fondly remembered by his extended family as well as many friends and co-workers whom he loved very much. Wayne’s love and talent for music took him to Night Clubs all over Canada. Amongst numerous local venues, he has played at the Fish Bar in Collingwood for the past 7 years and was the dedicated and passionate Artistic Director of the Wasaga Blues Festival for the past 4 years.
Due to the current pandemic a celebration of Wayne’s life will take place at a later date.
Memorial donations to Diabetes Association or Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.

From the Wasaga Beach Blues Festival site:

With a heavy heart we want to communicate the passing of our Artistic Director, Wayne Buttery, the Gentleman of Blues.

His legacy, his kindness and his passion for the Blues will never be forgotten. We will treasure the laughs, the great music from his guitar and his voice, and the true drive to make our festival grow. We will smile when we think of Wayne because he had a heart of gold and was always a gentleman.

Our Stonebridge Wasaga Beach Blues Festival Crew and volunteers will miss him tremendously and send the deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Wayne was a respected and beloved part of the Blues community in the region and in Ontario. His music and talent will be forever in the memory of those how knew him. 

Here are some social media reactions to his passing.

Virgil Scott

I have been searching for the words to express some of my thoughts...We met in 68 and for many years, watched each other from a distance go from stage to stage with respect and love for each other...He was a wonderful soft soul, who was so very talented in many ways. A big man, with that big smile coming at me every time we saw each other, with a huge hug of love and he made it feel like it was just for me...Not often in life do you cross paths with someone like Wayne and so many people will feel the void in their life with him passing...Fly high my friend. 

Larry Kurtz

I will always smile when I think about time spent with him because it was so much fun! I first met Wayne back in 2001 when I was playing his music on my radio show Roots & Blues on Orangeville Community Radio. I then met him in person at his gig at Fitzys Crab Shack at the Midland harbour. He mentioned he was looking for a harmonica player for his band The Groove Project. I told him I would be interested and joined the band for the next 2 years. What a great time we had playing memorable shows like backing Curly Bridges and an 11 year old Jimmy Bowskill in Collingwood, opening for James Cotton in Orillia, playing the Mercedes Benz launch at the CNE, the Southside Shuffle, plus countless blues cruises aboard the Georgian Queen in Penetanguishene. The band at that time featured Charlie Hinkel, Dennis King, Bob Federer, Paul Robillard, Russell Strathdee and the late John Shand. After I left the band, we remained friends. I have had Wayne perform at Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival many times and was also a guest of his band many times over the years. He was great musician and band leader. We spoke often about festivals as he had become the Artistic Director of the Wasaga Beach Blues Festival. Wayne was generous with his time, helping many charitable events and I will really miss his big smile and laugh. RIP my friend. 

Video above courtesy of Adri A. Ousbastis



Video above courtesy of Wayne Buttery



Links: Wayne Buttery, More Muddy Waters Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of neek49

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