Roland Butler has lived in the Port de Grave District
for forty years. For the past thirty-four years he has
lived in the community of Shearstown where he has been
actively involved in all aspects of community and
political life. He and his wife Maude (nee Mercer)
have one son, Darrell. Darrell and his wife Kim (nee
Deering) have two sons, Justin and Andrew.
Roland attended Coley’s Point High School and successfully completed a program in
Business Administration.
In 1971, Roland became involved with the Liberal
Party and in particular, the Port de Grave District
Liberal Association. From 1974 to 1984 he held various
positions including Secretary and Vice-president. In
1985, he became President of the District Association
and held that position until 1989. Roland was
re-elected as President of the District Association in
1994, a position he held until June 2001.
Roland served as Executive Assistant to the Hon. R.
John Efford, MHA, from 1989 to November 2000, then
briefly as Executive Assistant to the Hon. Tom Lush,
MHA from February 2001 until June 19, 2001 when he
became the Member of the House of Assembly for the
District of Port de Grave. After his election in
2001, Roland served as Party Whip and Deputy Chair of
Committees. He was re-elected in the 2003 and
2007 general election and was appointed Deputy
Opposition House Leader, Caucus Chair and Chair of the
Public Accounts Committee.
Roland’s involvement in community activities has
been extensive. He served a total of twelve years with
both the Bay Roberts Lions Club and Shearstown Lions
Club. During his service with the Lions, Roland held
various positions including that of President, as well
as serving on several committees, at the district
level. Additionally, Roland has been an active member
of his church, taking leadership roles on several
committees as well as serving on the Board of
Management. Other community related activities have
included the C.B. Horsemen’s Association, the
Shearstown Minor Hockey Association (Conception Bay
North Minor Hockey Association) and the Shearstown
Recreation Committee. He is also a member of the Royal
Canadian Legion, Bay Roberts and Cromwell L.O.L. #81,
Shearstown.
Roland’s community work has been recognized and he has been presented with a number of awards. These
awards include Lion of the Year in 1982-83, Bay
Roberts Lions Club, and Lion of the Year in 1991-92 in
the Shearstown Lions Club. Roland was also named
Shearstown’s Citizen of the Year in 1993.
