Worksop: A family pay tribute to a highly regarded dad and husband, Terry Butkeraitis, after he lost his battle with cancer

Terry Butkeraitis passed away aged 63 on Sunday 5th January.

Terry was diagnosed with cancer in August and despite being given just a few weeks to live his family said he battled through and fought right to the end.

Throughout his life Terry helped raise money for the Whitwell Miners’ Support Group by running bars at festivals and donating the proceeds.

Terry also worked for more than 10 years as a youth worker in Kilton and Manton and the effect he had is still noted today.

Terry’s son, Shane Butkeraitis, said: “Some people still come up to us and say if it wasn’t for your dad I would probably be dead or on drugs. “

“A lot of young people said he changed their lives.”

“He was very highly regarded as a very good youth worker.”

Terry had a charitable nature and helped set up youth clubs in Lithuania which was where his father was born.

Shane said: “He wanted to go back and see his roots.”

“He was that touched by the people there that he went back a year later with a group of children from the youth club to show them what it was like living in other countries.”

“He helped them to learn about poverty.”

Terry’s wife, Christine, said: “He touched a lot of people’s lives and a lot of people have their own memories of him.”

“A lot of the young people he took to Lithuania have said that going there changed their lives.”

Terry’s funeral will take place on Wednesday 22nd January at St. John’s Church in Worksop