Remembering Everett W. "Butch" Redding, Parish Manager
Memorial Service, Sunday, March 9th at 2 PM

Everett W. “Butch” Redding, after a brief illness, died on Wednesday, February 20th surrounded by friends. Butch was born in Mt. Sterling, Ohio, the son of the late Everett W. and Sarah Annabelle (Riley) Redding. He graduated from the University of Miami (Ohio) with a degree in architecture. He was a long-time resident of Fort Hill in Roxbury and moved to Gloucester in 1999.

A long time Unitarian Universalist, Butch demonstrated lay leadership on committees and boards in parishes throughout Mass Bay District. He served as Vice-President of the Mass Bay District and hosted during the General Assembly in Boston. He worked for the Urban Ministry of the UUA in Boston and most recently as the Administrative Executive of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington.

Butch was a widely creative person, who enjoyed design work and crafts of all sorts. He was passionate about the architectural treasures of New England and consequently believed that no home or life was complete without a fireplace. He was a gifted artisan with a sharp eye, designing and executing many residential architecture and garden projects for his friends. He loved making and wearing costumes and he sewed many for himself as well as for his friends, both original designs and authentic period attire.

Butch was always available to friends in need and was there to help others. He was a founding member of the Tongue in Cheek Garden Club, a group mostly from the Gloucester UU Church that reveled in garden parties. He is survived by a large circle of loving friends whom he welcomed into his large and interconnected social world.

A memorial service will be held at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington on Sunday, March 9th at 2:00 p.m. honoring his long service to that community. The Tongue in Cheek Garden Club is organizing a service celebrating his life at the Gloucester UU (Independent Christian Church) on Sunday, March 16th at 3:00PM.

Gifts in his memory may be made to the White-Ellery House Restoration Fund, Cape Ann Historical Assn. 27 Pleasant St. Gloucester, MA 01930 or to Cape Ann Animal Aid Assoc. 260 Main St. Gloucester, MA 01930.

Memorabilia Many of us enjoyed Butch's arts and crafts -- the fun he had with creation and with sharing. Photos from his office share just a bit of this.
Butch was a driving force in our goods and services auctions -- a major fund raising effort, which was also wonderful fun and a community builder. Here Butch is pictured as "King of the Auction" in its Mardi Gras theme.
Butch often concluded "Parish the Thought," his regular communication to parish leaders, with poetry. Here we quote from Rev. Marsh's recent letter to the congregation: "In May of 2006 Butch chose a reading by Lynn Ungar to accompany his newsletter column: Cottonwood Trees The cottonwoods are flinging themselves outward, Filling the air with spiraling flurries, Covering lawns in deepening drifts. You could not call this generosity. Like any being, they Let loose what they have in order to survive. In order that their lives might continue In a new year's growth. The more seeds they send out On their lofted journeys The greater the chance For their kind to flourish… Then Butch added a postscript of his own… May we let loose and fling ourselves into generous acts of abundant creation. I have been deeply blessed to have spent time with Butch—straightening out chairs in the sanctuary, cooking in the kitchen, joking at staff meetings, being present as he let loose and flung himself into acts of generosity, creativity and caring. And now …he is one of the saints." John Marsh Interim Minister