Referee Butch Mousseau, who died after suffering a head injury during a pre-game skate, will be laid to rest this weekend.
A visitation will be held at Greenwood & Myers Mortuary Thursday, March 31 at 4:00 PM MDT with a Recitation of the Rosary at 6:30. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Boulder, Colorado, on Friday, April 1 at 10:00 AM MDT.
Oliver Phillip Mousseau, Jr., affectionately nicknamed “Butch” as a toddler, passed away on March 25, 2016 at the age of 48 years old, after he sustained a traumatic head injury in Grand Rapids, Michigan at a hockey tournament on March 18, 2016.
Butch is survived by his wife, Macaire (McNamee) Mousseau and their three children, Samuel James Oliver, Abigail Kateri, and Olivia Luta (Erie, CO): his parents, Oliver and Mary (Kitto) Mousseau (Allen, SD); his sisters, Francine Mousseau (Rapid City, SD) and Elizabeth Youman (Boulder, CO); his brothers, Charles Mousseau (Allen, SD) and Richard Joseph Mousseau (Box Elder, SD).
Butch was born in Burns, Oregon on April 16, 1967. His family moved to Boulder, CO in 1969 where Butch was schooled at the New Horizons Preschool, Aurora 7 Elementary School, Baseline Jr. High School, and graduated from Fairview High School in 1985. He went on to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder and completed his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Houghton College in western New York.
Butch and Macaire married in Lyons, CO on December 12, 1998 at Pleasant Valley Ranch and honeymooned in Aspen, CO. His twenty-year ice hockey officiating career began in 1998 which lead him to work throughout the U.S., Canada, and internationally. Butch was honored by the NHL Hall of Fame for being the first Native American NHL official. His phenomenal passion for the game included his special interest in mentoring aspiring hockey referees as an instructor through USA Hockey training camps. The overwhelming support from Butch’s hockey colleagues and friends since his fatal accident, is a testament to his character and career.
To offer condolences, please visit www.greenwoodmyersfuneral.com. You may also send your condolences; cards may be mailed to: Macaire Mousseau, 2969 Baseline Rd, Boulder, CO 80303.
Donations
A fund is being managed by Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation to help the family with medical expenses. Anyone wishing to contribute is asked to do so via their site. http://www.dawgnationhockey.org/donate/butch-mousseaux/
The family asks that all media be respectful of the family’s privacy during this difficult time. There will be a pool camera at the Friday Service. At the family’s request, limited content will be provided. No other cameras or media will be allowed into the services. No interviews will be granted at this time by family members.
