‘ There will never be another Henry’
Cape Breton baseball community mourns loss of coach Henry Boutilier
GLACE BAY — The Cape Breton baseball community is mourning the loss of a well-known Glace Bay Little League icon.
Legendary coach Henry Boutilier died Saturday morning at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney after a battle with Stage 4 liver cancer. He was 67.
The Glace Bay product managed his hometown Glace Bay Colonels for more than 40 years and was inducted in the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame as a builder in November 2019.
Over the course of his coaching career, Boutilier won five Canadian Little League championships as well as represented the country at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
He also won two Canadian Big League championships with the Cape Breton Dodgers in 2009 and 2010.
RESPECT AND DEDICATION
Ricky Wiseman had the opportunity to coach with Boutilier for a couple of years. He said the loss of Boutilier will be felt throughout the baseball community.
“Henry seemed to have a way about him that would get the kids interested in the sport and keep them interested,” said Wiseman.
“We can all coach but finding the proper mix of making it fun for the kids while in fact learning and developing a passion for the game, Henry seemed to have the ability to do that.”
Wiseman acknowledged the respect and dedication the players had for Boutilier.
“I think it was his honesty and the fact that Henry played the game himself,” said Wiseman.
“The players knew what he demanded of them. It's a big-time commitment, but Henry made it fun and the players didn't realize the amount of time they were giving up.”
HOLDS RECORDS
After winning two Maritime Junior Baseball championships in 1971 and 1975 as a player, Boutilier turned his attention to coaching with Glace Bay Little League in 1979.
Boutilier, a former school teacher, led the Colonels to back-to-back Canadian titles in 1987 and 1988. The team also captured championships at the national level in 1991, 1994 and 2003 under Boutilier's direction.
He holds several Little League Canada management records, including the most Canadian titles, appearances and championship final appearances.
Former Sydney All-Stars manager Barry Long coached against Boutilier in the Little League regional tournament in 2006.
“I think I was more nervous meeting Henry than actually playing the regional tournament,” said Long. “All of his players looked up to him and he taught them life lessons — he was a great guy and he will be missed.”
'TOUGH LOSS'
Boutilier, who grew up in Glace Bay's Caledonia area, won 19 Maritime championships and 24 Nova Scotia titles from 1982 to 2015. He had 218 wins and 93 losses with a .701 win-percentage.
Along with championships, Boutilier also guided the Colonels to five national silver medals in 1982, 1992, 1995, 1998 and 2008. Under Boutilier's leadership, the Colonels also reached the national semifinals in 1984, 1989, 1996, 2013 and 2015.
Sean Ferguson played for Boutilier with the Dodgers in 2011 and 2012. Today, Ferguson is a member of the Sydney Sooners senior baseball team.
“Henry was one of the best coaches I ever had in any sport,” said Ferguson. “He had the winning reputation, so it was easy for us as players to give him our best and want to win for him.”
Although Ferguson knew Boutilier wasn't in the best health in recent months, he was wasn't expecting to hear the news Saturday.
“It's a tough loss,” said Ferguson. “I'd like to think he's in a better place now, he was very sick, but he's at peace now.”
RECOGNIZED INTERNATIONALLY
Along with being inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, Boutilier was also inducted into the Cape Breton Sport Hall of Fame as a builder in 2012.
In 2004, Boutilier, a longtime executive member for Glace Bay Little League, was part of the 1987 and 1988 Colonels teams to be inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame. Both teams are also in the Cape Breton hall of fame.
Kenny Bradley, Atlantic regional director for Little League Canada, said Boutilier is the most recognized name in Little League across Canada and the United States.
“Henry had a lot of friends out there and he was one of the most respected people in Little League, whether it was on the baseball side or not,” said Bradley. “Henry was a true icon. There will never be another Henry Boutilier.”
As umpire and official off the field, Bradley said over the years he noticed Boutilier's unique style of coaching and why he was successful in his career.
“You didn't know until you really saw Henry in action on the field,” he said. “I never seen him lose control on a baseball field and I have seen a lot of people, including myself, lose control on the field.
“He kept his players calm. He never protested anything on the field. If he had a question, he'd call time and speak with the umpire. Whether he liked the call or not, you wouldn't know it by the look on his face.”
Bradley admitted a moment he'll never forgot was during a game he umpired between Sydney Mines and Glace Bay when he tossed Boutilier from a contest.
“It's the first thing that comes to mind when you say the words Henry Boutilier,” laughed Bradley. “He had to leave the park and he was walking up and down Pitt Street — it's one of the things, believe it or not, I still feel bad for today.
“Henry and I laughed about it years later, and I know he's forgiven me for it, but I knew he was aware of how bad I felt about it. I think it was part of his plan to never let me forget it.”
FAMILY PRAYED FOR VICTORY
Glace Bay Little League released a statement via social media on Boutilier's passing.
“Our dear friend and colleague Henry Boutilier passed away this morning as he lost his battle with cancer,” reads the statement.
“We, the Glace Bay Little League board of directors, would like to send our deepest condolences to Henry's wife Cynthia, his daughters Michelle and Mary, and to all his family and friends during this difficult time.”
The Cape Breton Ramblers senior Little League team also posted a statement on social media.
“We all know what accomplishments Henry had on the ball field, but what makes Henry so special was his overall influence on the lives of so many people over the years,” the statement reads.
“There are no amount of words that will ever be enough to describe the incredible man that Henry was, but we celebrate the life and friendship he has given us.”
Meanwhile, the Boutilier family issued a statement through Glace Bay Little League's Facebook page.
“We all prayed for a walk-off victory, but it wasn't meant to be,” said the family. “He is now playing with the angels in the outfield with Hunter, our Colonel mascot running alongside. His season on Earth is over, but we know we will be with him again someday.”