Obituary of Joseph Louis Benjamin Boutin

January 17, 1934 – LaSarre, Quebec
December 6, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

Joseph Louis Benjamin (Ben) Boutin, aged 87, of Calgary, Alberta passed away on December 6, 2021, at Providence Care Center. 
 
Ben was born on January 17, 1934, in La Sarre, Quebec. His youth was filled with pond-hockey, school, and working small jobs to help maintain the family. In 1951 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 1953, at the age of 19; Flight Cadet Boutin completed his first solo in a Harvard and by the age of 20 he became a flying instructor at RCAF Penhold, training NATO pilots to fly Harvard aircraft. Ben’s focus was flying, ice-hockey with the RCAF squad and of course; his partner for life, Loreley.
 
He transferred to RCAF Rockcliffe in Ottawa where he flew Lancasters during the Cold War on Arctic Reconnaissance missions. He and Loreley were married, he joined the RAF and they moved with Ben Jr. to Oxfordshire, UK.  After four years flying Argosy aircraft, Ben relocated his family to Sewart Air Force Base, Tennessee, USA where he served for two years as an Exchange Officer flying Hercules C130 aircraft. At the time, the USAF had many of these aircraft and Ben’s assignment was to gain as much experience as he could and bring it back to the RAF.

Ben returned to the UK in 1967 as a Squadron Leader commanding the Hercules Training Squadron at Thorney Island, Sussex. He attended RAF Staff College at Bracknell, Berkshire, UK in 1969 and in June 1970 was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air.  In 1972 Ben was seconded to HQ RAF Germany in Rheindahlen for 3 years. Ben retired from the RAF in 1976 and he, Loreley, Ben Jr and Lawrie relocated to Calgary Alberta to start a new life.  He worked with the ALCB in administration until his retirement in 1992.

During retirement Ben volunteered at the Calgary Military Museum and spent many days on the links at Elbow Springs Golf Course playing with the same foursome (Walt, Dev and Jim). Another treasured group were his poker buddies (Keith, Rob, Joe, Bob, Michel, Guy, Don and Ollie).  During the winter months Ben and Loreley RV’d throughout North America making many new friends in Arizona and Texas.  Ben cherished his grandchildren and loved to spend time with them golfing, fishing, camping, sledding, and skating.

Ben is survived by his wife Loreley of 62 years; his children, Ben (Kathy) and Lawrie; his grandchildren, Connor, Thomas, and Nicole; as well as many nieces and nephews.  

Ben was predeceased by his parents Joseph Ernest Boutin and Marie-Rose Nault, his brothers and sisters Eli, Monique, Carole, Theresa, Jeanne, Paul, and Rachel.

He passed peacefully with his family by his side. The family extends a special thank you to all the staff at Applewood Neighborhood, Providence Care Centre for their kindness and attention given to Ben during his residence there.

In Lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Alzheimer Society, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403) 290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com. or charity of your choice.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Joseph Boutin a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.