The Honorable Charles Butler, 31st Chief Butler of Ireland and 24th Earl of Ormonde, died in Chicago on October 24th 1997. Born in 1899, he had a very long life, but the news of his death was sad for his friends the world over, especially his many friends in Kilkenny.
He was very fond of the home and county of his ancestors and visited the area whenever possible. As president of the Butler Society he attended all the rallies until the last one this year, when illness prevented him. He and his two charming daughters, Lady Cynthia and Lady Anne, formed a familiar trio whose presence among us was much appreciated.
Lord Ormonde was very handsome, cast in the true aristocratic mould: classical profile, fine head of silvery hair - in fact he resembled greatly James, the 3rd Marquis, who was his uncle, and considered by tradition the handsomest man in the British army. The 3rd Marquis was taller than the late beloved scion of the family; otherwise they were very similar.
The 7th Marquis was President of the Butler Society since 1971 when he inherited the title, now to be extinguished due to lack of male heirs.
He was the first cousin of Lord Arthur Butler, 6th Marquis, who gave the castle to Kilkenny in 1967 - a gift of the greatest value to Kilkenny and its citizens.
Lord Ormonde, the 7th Marquis, served a distinguished career in the British army and spent some time in India and China, before going to the United States in 1928 to take up a business career in Chicago. He made his home there and was very successful and happily married.
His first wife, Nan, the mother of his two daughters, died in 1973 and is buried in the Butler cemetery overlooking the river Nore in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle, He will be buried beside her in due course. A fine Celtic cross dominates this graveyard and the graves are surrounded by limestone kerbs with well cut Celtic ornament.
The son of a clergyman of the Church of England, Lord Ormonde was always known in his life in the United States as Mr Charles Butler and he wanted it that way. He attended in Chicago any group that came from Kilkenny - the Ormonde Follies Band, the hurling team and a talk given by this writer in 1968, and gave us all a great welcome. Even though he did not assume his title over there, there was no disguising his distinction and graciousness.
It is tempting to say: "We shall not look upon his like again." In this case it is all too true. May he rest in peace.