RUMFORD — A mild-mannered man who spent years walking around the River Valley also found a way to walk into the hearts of people in the community.

Gayle Butler, 63, of Rumford is one of those men you see every day in your town, at restaurants or on the street. A person who is disabled, leading a hard life, and seems alone in the world but is still able to put a smile on their face and wave.

Butler was born Dec. 17, 1947, and has lived most of his life in Rumford and Dixfield. Butler came from a struggling family, has mental disabilities and lost siblings at a young age to a house fire, friends said.

Delanna Gary, service coordinator for Rumford Island Housing where Butler lived, said she knew he had had a difficult life.

“There was a lot of good, but there was a lot of bad in his life, too,” she said. “He was bullied and harassed a lot in town.”

Through the years Butler found positive in his life through a smaller community within Rumford, know as the Island, made up of Congress, Canal and River street.

“He would come in and just wait in line so he could talk to us,” Carol Lavoie, a bank teller at Franklin Savings Bank, said.

Lavoie and senior customer service representative Angie Cushman said he would come in and greet them, talk about his day or things he had purchased, and just shared his life with them.

Cushman said last year on Butler’s birthday the group pooled its money and gave him a gift certificate to Dunkin’ Donuts.

“I have never seen him smile like that before,” Cushman said.

Similar memories were shared up and down Congress Street about how Butler touched the lives of those he talked to.

Memories of him sharing his poetry and singing country songs were a common theme.

“I used to pick him up when he was walking and offer him a ride,” Nancy Carpenter said. “He would sing me Elvis songs the whole way to where we were going.”

Kathy Knowles, owner of the River Valley Grill, said Butler is special to each employee at the restaurant.

“He is always keeping an eye on who is here,” she said. “He is very observant and notices the small details. He noticed every time I dyed my hair.”

Knowles said they always try hard to make him feel like he is home.

Mindy Gorham, owner of Trend Setters, said Butler was considered like family.

“He’s had a really hard life but has always been a very kind person and kind to us,” she said.

His Island family learned Tuesday that Butler had been moved to the Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn after needing constant care while trying to battle a fight with cancer.

Lavoie said a nurse had come to tell them where he was.

“She said he wanted his families on Congress Street to know where he had gone to,” she said.

On the same day a post was circulating Facebook asking for prayers for Butler and asking anyone who could to send cards to the hospice house.

Gorham at Trend Setters said they were working on getting something together for Butler and were trying to plan a visit.

Other businesses in town and citizens had already sent cards to him or were planning on visiting.

“I don’t think he knows the impact he had on this community,” Lavoie said.

Anyone wishing to send cards to Butler can do so by mailing them to the Gayle Butler, c/o Hospice House, Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice, 236 Stetson Road, Auburn, ME 04210.

ecox@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link