Unexpectedly, at home, in Ashburton on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Aged 79 years. Treasured husband of Stephanie. Dearly loved father and father-in-law of James, Michael and Neresa, Anna and Wayne, Catherine and Barnaby, Chris and Kym, and Peter and Sophie. Adored Poppa Joe of Ada, and Olive; Amelia, Emma, and Charlotte; Julia, Sarah, and Johnny; Gabriel, and Patrick; and Abigail. Loved son of the late Ralph and Catherine and brother and brother-in-law of John and Catherine, and Mary and Bill. Loved brother-in-law of Terry and Kathy Day, Richard and Jan Day, and Liz and Nick Courtney. A loved uncle of all his nieces and nephews. In memory of Joe and in lieu of flowers, donations to Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand’s work in Nepal would be appreciated and can be made online at www.caritas.org.nz/nepal. Messages to the Butchard family, PO Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A Requiem mass for Joe will be celebrated in the Holy Name Catholic Church, Sealy Street, Ashburton on Friday, September 11, commencing at 11.00am, followed by interment at the Ashburton Seafield Cemetery. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at the Church on Thursday, September 10, commencing at 7.00pm. “RIP”
