The group builder, philanthropist and co-founder of Village Brewery succumbed to most cancers; he introduced his personal demise on Thursday night time
![Jim Button relaxes in his southwest Calgary home on Friday, October 4, 2019. He and his family, along with others, raised millions for North America's first chair in Pediatric Psychosocial Oncology and Survivorship. Jim Wells/Postmedia](https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/calgaryherald/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/cs20191004jw072_74517596.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&h=216)
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Jim Button’s eight-year battle with most cancers ended precisely as he wished – with love, grace and humility.
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The group builder, businessman and philanthropist, who was identified with renal cell carcinoma in 2016, introduced his personal demise Thursday night on the weblog Collect With Jim, which chronicles the great, the unhealthy and the ugly of his journey.
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“Properly it has been one hell of a experience,” he wrote.
“From the second I first discovered I had terminal most cancers, I understood that I used to be residing a full life, a life with few regrets, and a ridiculous quantity of journey, and an equal quantity of affection, gratitude and friendships galore,” he wrote. “So I’ve by no means been afraid of at the present time, and neither have you ever been afraid of yours.
“It is that straightforward. Stay. Love. Snicker. Repeat.”
An appendicitis assault in 2014 alerted docs to most cancers in considered one of Button’s kidneys and it was eliminated. In 2016, he was identified with renal cell carcinoma and given maybe one other yr to dwell.
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Button (59) is survived by his spouse Tracey, his son Jack and daughter Amanda.
In 2018, together with Tracey, the household launched a charity with the objective of elevating $5 million for Pediatric Psychosocial Oncology and Survivorship by way of the Cumming College of Drugs on the College of Calgary. The fund will determine and develop new interventions that can enhance the standard of life of those survivors and their households.
![Jim Button, with his wife Tracey, at a Benevolent Artists National Coalition event in 2019.](https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/calgaryherald/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/button.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288)
Button arrived in Calgary from Ontario in 1993 with a optimistic perspective and have become a beacon inside the enterprise group of what might be achieved with a basis of kindness, mischievous humor and generosity.
The savvy marketer and businessman co-founded Village Brewery in 2011 and helped set up it as a cornerstone of the native craft beer market and helped launch initiatives corresponding to Circle Carnival and Better of Calgary awards and celebrations.
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On the entrance web page of his weblog, he describes himself as a collector of mates. “I’ve at all times cherished bringing individuals collectively. Today I am much more centered on my household and mates – the actually vital issues in life.”
In November, he entered Rosedale Hospice the place he continued to take a look at the optimistic and located a brand new goal – to be at peace and to supply these round him a path to peace as effectively.
He made it dwelling for one final Christmas along with his household after which rang within the New 12 months with household and mates at Rosedale.
The impression Button had on Calgary was mirrored within the many social media feedback posted as information of his passing unfold.
On the Evans Hunt group, the place Jim was a key participant, they wrote: “Right this moment our hearts are damaged. We’d not be the place we’re in the present day as an organization, or as individuals, with out @jimbutton. He was our coach, our mentor, our cheerleader, however above all he was our pal.”
Many others thanked Button for his legacy, for giving them an opportunity at success and for making a distinction in the neighborhood.
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In an interview with Postmedia, Mayor Jyoti Gondek known as him a “relentless believer within the significance of the humanities” and inventive industries. She stated he has proven braveness in mild of his analysis and his willingness to interact with the general public about the way it has affected him and his household.
“He was really an individual who believed in group who needed to share his journey to assist others by way of any form of related occasions,” she stated. “It’s a nice loss for us. I am so glad we had him so long as we did, however it is going to be a loss for us.”
In Button’s weblog he additionally shared this: “I grew to become comfortable in life. Properly, it felt fortunate, however I am fairly positive karma had loads to do with it. You get again tenfold what you place out when it comes to goodness. But it surely nonetheless felt comfortable.”
A optimistic perspective to the top.
jaldrich@postmedia.com
Twitter: @JoshAldrich03
With information from Valerie Fortney
![In 2012, Village Brewery co-founder Jim Button held a fundraiser encouraging people to fill their growler with pennies in exchange for a refill. The brewery then donated the funds to local arts groups.](https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/calgaryherald/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/button-1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288)