Anthony Butler 22/6/1953 - 08/12/2009

Following a tragic accident on 04/12/2009, Philippine Rugby Football Union Board Member and generous sponsor of mini and youth rugby in the country, through his highly successful ACTIVEFUN company, Tony Butler passed away on 08/12/2009.

Anthony Butler was born in Waterford, Ireland, the eldest son of Jack and Elizabeth Butler and following his schooling at CBC Monkstown worked for several companies before embarking on a career with worldwide instant adhesive company Loctite, which saw him travel the globe, residing at various times in Southampton, England; Hartford, Connecticut; Brazil and Hong Kong. 

A lifelong fan of the game of rugby union, Tony turned out as a prop forward for clubs in Ireland and elsewhere including; CBC Monkstown, Palmerstown RFC, Seapoint RFC, Trojans RFC (Southampton), Rosecrea RFC and Hartford Wanderers (USA). Tony's love of rugby did not diminish after his playing days and he was a passionate supporter of the Irish national team and regularly kept in contact with his rugby mates throughout the world. Aged 50 Tony relocated to the Philippines, the home country of his wife , where in 'retirement' they established a superbly successful business in a period of worldwide financial strife.

Through ACTIVEFUN Tony became well known, respected and liked by just about anyone with kids in the Metro Manila area and he allowed the rugby community of the Philippines to benefit from his success by funding the development of youth and mini rugby over the last few years. Tony had also recently joined the Board of the Philippines Rugby Football Union, where his business acumen and knowledge and experience of the sport as played throughout the world, was of great assistance.

Tony was married three times, lastly to Gena. He had three children, Jenna from his first marriage and Natalie and Barry from his marriage to Gena. He was a huge fan of traditional Irish music and an avid reader who would finish three books a week.

Tony Butler will be well remembered a friendly, humorous gentleman with a ready smile for one and all. The Philippine rugby community will also remember his contribution in kicking off the rugby careers of many young boys and girls and I for one will miss the banter or the 'craic' as the Irish would say, when the Six Nations comes around in January. Although his life was cut tragically short, Tony will no doubt still have that beaming smile, knowing that he departed this Earth when Ireland were the pick of the Northern Hemisphere teams.