The Cape Breton baseball community first learned of the heartbreaking news of the passing of legendary coach Henry Boutilier Saturday morning.
The 67-year-old Boutilier had been diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer earlier this year. Despite the challenges he faced on the ball field with his beloved 11-and-12-year-old players, this was the toughest battle of his life.
Although Boutilier has been acknowledged with several honours and awards over the years for his dedication and success with Glace Bay Little League — and very well deserved — there's more to this than meets the eye.
Over four decades, Boutilier had the opportunity to coach the Glace Bay Colonels and during the time made close friendships and connections with players, fellow coaches and parents.
One may not have always agreed with decisions Boutilier made as a coach — and that's just part of the job for any coach — but what can't be taken away is the time and effort he put into the baseball community locally, nationally and internationally.
You simply don't find people who are committed long-term to volunteering and coaching minor sports anymore. Boutilier was one of a few who you could always count on to be there coaching each and every year.
Anyone who has played Little League in Glace Bay since 1979 would have had the pleasure of being coach by Boutilier, but if you weren't, the name was familiar.
For more than 40 years, Boutilier made an impact on the lives of many people by teaching his players life lessons and the game of baseball.
Over the course of his coaching career, Boutilier won five Canadian Little League championships as well as representing the country at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
He also won two Canadian Big League championships with the Cape Breton Dodgers in 2009 and 2010.
Boutilier, a recognized name across Canada and the United States for Little League, led the Colonels to back-to-back Canadian titles in 1987 and 1988. The team also captured championships at the national level in 1991, 1994 and 2003 under Boutilier’s direction.
He holds several Little League Canada management records, including the most Canadian titles, appearances and championship final appearances.
Boutilier, who grew up in Glace Bay’s Caledonia area, won 19 Maritime championships and 24 Nova Scotia titles from 1982 to 2015. He had 218 wins and 93 losses with a .701 win-percentage.
Along with championships, Boutilier also guided the Colonels to five national silver medals in 1982, 1992, 1995, 1998 and 2008. Under Boutilier’s leadership, the Colonels also reached the national semifinals in 1984, 1989, 1996, 2013 and 2015.
Off the field, Boutilier was a school teacher with the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board. He retired in 2012 and was awarded the Golden Apple Award for outstanding lifetime dedication to youth in the community.
He also received the Commemorative Medal for the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada in 1992 as well as the Carl Anthony (Campy) Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in leadership and commitment to justice, fairness, volunteerism, sportsmanship and equality in the community.
Tributes to the late Boutilier have come into the Cape Breton Post sports department via Twitter over the past four days.
"What a terrible loss for the Glace Bay community. It was a privilege to get to share a field with Henry at two national championships. Condolences to his family and the entire sport community down there. RIP." — @coachkeep.
"Sad news for the Little League family. Henry epitomized LLs (Little League) core community values tirelessly over his decades of service. He will be missed. RIP Henry. My condolences to his family and friends." — Kevin Kvame, Lethbridge, Alta. (@Kevin_Kvame).
"What a great man. His love for baseball and kids was amazing. It was a pleasure coaching against you at nationals last year." - Mark Heppner (@mark_heppner).
"R.I.P. Henry Boutilier." — Bob Elliot, Canadian Baseball Network.
Overall, Boutilier was a caring man who wanted the best for his players, friends and family. He's a prime example of what community is all about, both on and off the field.
There will never be another Henry Boutilier.
A walk-through visitation for Boutilier will be held Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. at V..J. McGillivray Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. A private family service will take place in the funeral home chapel at a later date.
My condolences to Henry's wife Cynthia, his daughters Michelle and Mary and to all his family and friends at this difficult time.
Jeremy Fraser covers sports for the Cape Breton Post. He welcomes column ideas, sports story suggestions or feedback about this week’s Sports Chat.
