ORONO, Maine – UMaine Athletics and the Maine Baseball program mourn the loss of long-time supporter and fan, Patricia Butterfield. Pat, the wife of former UMaine baseball coach Jack Butterfield and mother of former Black Bear, Brian Butterfield had been involved with Maine baseball for parts of seven decades. She passed away peacefully on Jan. 14 at Eastern Maine Medical Center.
 
Pat graduated from Westborough High School in 1948, attending Russell Sage College for semester. She then followed Jack Butterfield, her high school sweetheart to the University of Maine. The two were married on campus at the Fogler Library after a football game on Nov. 4 1950.
 
After Jack's baseball playing career ended at UMaine in 1953, he became an assistant coach for the Black Bears in 1956 and would be named the head coach a season later in 1957. He led the Black Bears to one of the programs best seasons in 1964, where the team finished third at the College World Series. The two were married for 29 years, before Jack's death in a tragic car accident in 1979.
 
"I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with Mrs. Butterfield this past winter," said Maine baseball head coach Nick Derba. "She was sharp as a tack mentally. I had the opportunity to hear a wide range of stories all revolving around the game of baseball. She is as important to Black Bear baseball as Coach Butterfield is. Together, they laid the foundation to what Maine baseball has become."
 
Dennis Libbey '73, a co-captain and shortstop under Jack Butterfield, spoke of the impact that Patricia had on the program.
 
"Patricia was the matriarch of Maine Baseball," said Libbey. "She would take us in like we were her own and took care of us. Mrs. Butterfield even kept in contact and followed us long after our playing days were over. She was a very special person."

Those who wish to remember Pat in a special way may make gifts in her memory to:

Jack Butterfield Memorial Scholarship,
University of Maine Foundation
Two Alumni Place,
Orono, ME 04469. 

Later this year, Pat will be laid to rest next to Jack at an interment ceremony at Pine Grove Cemetery in Westborough, Mass. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.

-UMaine-