Tribute to my dear Father.

Dennis Cesare Butcher 

(1st November 1934 - 29th of October 2025)

A few words to celebrate a man who lived his life not for himself, but for the people he loved, demonstrating that the truest form of love is visible through care and action. Dennis Cesare Butcher's life - a father, husband, grandfather, coach, and the finest gentleman many of us have ever known.

Dennis was born on All Saints Day, November 1st, 1934, during the long shadow of the Great Depression. He was the son of Harry and Aida, and his middle name, Cesare, was taken from his beloved grandfather, the locally famous Italian chef, Cesare Carretta, who he adored and called ‘Fa Fa.’ Dennis grew up in hard times, alongside his brother Raymond and his three younger sisters, Janet, Jill, and Sheila. But the difficulty of those years only served to forge the exceptional character we knew.

The Artist

From a very early age, Dad was devoted to art - from drawing and painting to opera and classical music. He was a talented artist and was offered a place at the prestigious Norwich Arts College at the age of 14. But life intervened; with the sad death of his father, Dennis set aside his dream to work and raise much-needed funds for his family. That sacrifice, that immediate and selfless action, showed the core of the man he would always be: one who put others first. It’s a trait that defined him until the very end.

But while his painting dream wasn't fulfilled, his artistic eye found an outlet. He would buy the great operas and classical recordings, filling their home with music. And, of course, anyone who ever had a meal cooked by him knew he still found ways to express his creativity—especially through the meticulously, almost architecturally, carved tomatoes that adorned his secret fry-ups, the illicit suppers we had when Mum was working late. That was Dennis—love delivered with a surprising flourish.

A Man of Honour and Action

His childhood gave him one other great passion: a devotion to the world of the Western. John Wayne and the others were his personal heroes for his entire life. If he wasn't watching one, he was reading a book about them. He was, simply put, a man of the Western frontier archetype: quiet, strong, honourable, and defined by his own personal code.

That code led him into the Royal Air Force for his National Service, where he found his life’s second great passion: gymnastics. Dad excelled, becoming a national gymnast, competing and performing displays all over the UK and Europe. While he narrowly missed the Olympics—a disappointment at the time—it led him to the place where he made his greatest impact: the Norwich Priory Gym.

As a coach, Dennis’s innovation and success were recognised at the highest level in the UK at that time. Indeed, the British History of Gymnastics recognises Dennis for his innovation and success as a gymnastics coach, describing his achievements at that time as 'unparalleled in the UK.' He was a wonderful role model, a mentor, and a firm but beloved coach. We have received so many wonderful messages, summing him up perfectly, like this one: "Dennis was just the loveliest man. As a child he was like an uncle to us all, the smilest man you could meet. Rest in peace Dennis, aka Mr Grumpy."

Yes, 'Mr Grumpy'—a name he gave himself, yet which everyone knew was an absolute lie, because he was far too gentle and far too nice to ever be grumpy. The quiet, self-effacing humor was always there.

Love, Spanish Diplomacy, and an MG

It was at the hospital in Norwich, where he worked as a physical therapist, that Dennis met the love of his life: Maria del Carmen, a Spanish nurse from Valencia. His career there was dedicated to patient rehabilitation, arranging all sorts of activities, including his famous cricket bowling and tennis competitions.

It’s fair to say that Maria’s mother was less than instantly approving, demanding the Spanish Embassy investigate this English Protestant of modest means before permitting them to become serious. Only after diplomatic clearance was approval finally given.

They clearly got on well, and the rest is history. Their enduring love story was an example to everyone. They married on August 22nd, 1964, at St George's Roman Catholic church in Norwich, with Mum looking beautiful in a white mantilla. Fittingly, they had a full Guard of Honour provided by the Norwich Priory Gym as they left the church, surrounded by the community he helped build. They drove off after the reception in Dad’s red MG sports car and honeymooned in Loch Ness, Scotland—a honeymoon that was clearly enjoyable, as nine months later Nicholas was born, followed by Richard four years later.

Family, Fathers, and Rockerfella

They bought a lovely home in Chamberlain Road, Norwich, which they lovingly restored and improved over the years. I remember especially the beautiful yellow roses around the doors and the garden full of songbirds.

Dennis was devoted to his children and showed his love through the relentless giving of his time. When he wasn’t coaching the thousands of children at the Priory Gym, he spent countless evenings and weekends taking Richard swimming to endless galas and meets.

His coaching extended right into his own family, too. Nicholas, taking after his father, excelled at gymnastics, competing at a national level and carrying on the family tradition with immense talent and dedication.

Then came the surprise move to the village of Frettenham, where they rebuilt a beautiful home with a magnificent garden. It was here that Richard changed his focus from swimming to horse riding, leading to one of the most wonderfully bizarre Dennis Butcher moments. Dad decided to secretly learn how to ride. One day he simply appeared on a horse, riding better than Richard could. That quiet, determined capability defined him. He went on to enjoy show jumping and cross-country for many years, with his beloved horse Rockerfella Nesscliffe, or Nessie as he was called—who was truly another son and member of the family.

During much of this time, Dad and Mum lovingly took care of Dad's mother, Ada. They visited her regularly, ensuring she had the support she needed, seeing her through her final days and eventual passing. This devotion to family, both immediate and extended, was absolute. He cherished and loved his brother Raymond and his three beautiful sisters Jill, Janet and Sheila. In addition he was incredibly close with his mother in law and the rest of the Spanish family adoring his many brother and sister in laws. 

The family grew with Nicholas marrying Kathryn, and the blessing of grandchildren: Jasmine, Courtney, Shane, Damian and eventually grandchildren Delilah, Penny, Eliza, Victoria, Leo, and Mila; and later, Richard and Phil and their sons Jacob, Miles, and Oisin.

Twenty Years in Spain

After decades of work for the NHS, Dennis and Maria began a new adventure, moving to Mum's hometown, Valencia. They spent 20 wonderful years there, again renovating a large house and turning the garden into an oasis of colour and wildlife in an area called Calicanto.

In Spain, Dad was able to fully indulge his love of the Arts again. He would visit the opera in Valencia or the conservatoire in the nearby town of Torrente. He took Mum on trips to the shopping centre and would always enjoy a relaxing beer and a read of the paper while she shopped. He particularly loved visiting the town of Cuenca, Mum’s childhood home in Castille, appreciating the old streets, the mountains, the rivers, and the clean, crisp air.

He immersed himself in the Spanish family who he loved dearly. He spent hours in his own outside kitchen, called a 'paellero,' where he perfected many dishes—his grandfather Fa Fa would have been incredibly proud of his namesake’s culinary skill. He indulged his love of natural history, watching songbirds—the bee-catchers, the goldfinches, the larks—in his beautiful garden.

Eventually, illness meant it was time to come back to the UK, and they made a final lovely home in Hove. Last year was filled with celebration: their 60th wedding anniversary, marked by a letter from the King, and Dad’s 90th birthday, celebrated in style at The Ivy Restaurant.

In his final years, his faith grew and settled, ending his life saying the Lord’s Prayer each night with Maria. After two years in his home, Dad needed more support and was cared for beautifully by the Middlecare Nursing Home for the final two months of his life. He passed peacefully at the Royal Sussex Hospital, held securely in the arms of his beloved wife, Maria, on the 29th of October 2025.

If there is one final lesson he left us, it is this: that love is not just an emotion, it’s something you do, something you can see and feel. It was in the taste of a chip, carefully wrapped in a torn piece of paper from the chip shop so you didn’t burn your fingers; it was hankies that smelt of Old Spice; it was in the call of 'Freddie' or 'Richie'; it was the amazing works of art dad drew in the sand on the beach (my favourite was the donkey) and it was in always knowing, no matter what, that someone was firmly on your side.

In the last months of his life I had the privilege and opportunity to visit dad every day in the nursing home and on the good days we would laugh and laugh about all sorts of funny memories. He never stopped asking how mum was, how I was, how Phil was and the boys … the rest of the family....always concerned about our happiness and wellbeing. Always loving. 

God speed Daddy.

I love you and I am grateful for all your love and care.

Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.

Am

en.