Pat Butler, the man behind Butler Automotive Group and several car, motorcycle and RV dealerships in the Ottawa area, has died. He was 87.
The son of a fisherman, Butler grew up in Prince Edward Island. His first job was selling fish door-to-door at just 10 years old.
Butler was 18 when he made his debut in the automotive industry as he moved to Toronto and worked as a lot attendant at a car dealership.
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It was in 1964, at the age of 26, that Butler moved to Ottawa with his young family and landed a job with Hari Dilawri at his Ford dealership. A few years later, Butler managed to save enough money to purchase his first dealership, MacKenzie Mercury in Stittsville, now Lincoln Heights Ford Lincoln.
Over time, Butler grew his automotive dynasty, adding several car and motorcycle dealerships to his roster in Ottawa.
In 2003, Butler brought RV Canada to Ottawa. Today, Butler Automotive Group runs 35 RV dealerships under Leisure Days RV Group and two campgrounds across the country. It also runs five car dealerships, three Harley-Davidson dealerships and Powersports Canada. As of 2022, the group employed more than 1,200 people nationwide, with about 800 in Ottawa.
Butler was also an avid philanthropist, donating to causes that were near and dear to his heart, such as Loaves and Fishes, The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Butler is survived by five children, 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Butler won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ottawa Business Journal and Ottawa Board of Trade at the Best Ottawa Business Awards in 2022. The award is presented annually to a businessperson who demonstrates long-term business success, innovation and perseverance, strong leadership, and a legacy of community building.
“Pat is one of Ottawa’s true gems,” said Cyril Leeder, president and CEO of the Ottawa Senators and executive chair of Myers Automotive Group, in a letter of recommendation for the award in 2022. “He has spent 66 years working in the automotive business and 50 of those years with ownership in Ottawa. He has helped build a significant number of businesses, played a major role in the development of many careers, generously gives back to the community he calls home, all the while seeking no personal attention or limelight.”
