1954
Aivars
2022
Aivars J. Bivins
June 29, 1954 — September 22, 2022
Aivars Bivins Obituary
Aivars J. Bivins, (Butch) 68, beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, coach, friend, athlete, active community member, and hero, passed away on September 22, 2022.
Aivars was born on June 29, 1954, the son of the late Janis and Laima Bivins of Latvian descent; they met and raised their children in the Lutheran Church.
Once Butch’s father and uncle learned English, they began a carpentry business and Aivars worked alongside them as a child and continued in construction for his career; A.J. Bivins Construction. Butch was a talented carpenter, woodworker, and craftsman.
Bivins was a 1972 graduate of Windham High School where he was captain of the soccer team and President of the ski club. Butch recently served on the 50-year high school reunion committee and was unfortunately unable to attend, but did view photos of the reunion, 72' was also the first class to graduate from WHS on High Street. Butch was a jock, and often called ‘The Maestro’ of soccer, playing semi-pro in the U.S. and while serving in the military.
Aivars served in the United States Army from 1974-1976, the Vietnam War era. Aivars raved about the military and believed everyone should join if able. AJ’s military occupational specialty was skiing, spending his service years as ski patrol in Germany. Woody Woodbury, his Veterans Counselor was a great support to Butch. Bivins was an active member at the Willimantic, American Legion, serving his last years as the Treasurer.
A.J. Bivins stayed active throughout his life, lending a helping hand, and loving life. He was an avid golfer and member at the Willimantic Country Club. He certainly enjoyed cooking and grilling for family. Butch was very social, he could tell stories for days, ‘unfiltered.’
Aivars leaves his beloved sister Elga Bivins, brother Valdis Bivins, cousins, aunts, and uncles. He unconditionally loved Gail Ceccarelli who was a dear friend. Butch enjoyed spending time with his lifelong/childhood friends; Hank Reed, Tom (Bones)Hammon, Kaj Munic, Charlie Boucher, Randy Peterson, Jerry Hughes, Marsh Ryan, and many more Close Fellas.
Butch’s pride and joy were his granddaughter, Julia Alicea and stepdaughter, Tara Cramer. If you knew Butch, you heard about ‘His Girls.’ The highlight of his soccer career was coaching his granddaughter for a decade or more in all sports; he thoroughly enjoyed every second; winning the CT Cup twice, making history in the Columbia Windham Soccer Alliance (CWSA) was unforgettable. His passion for soccer was contagious, Julia not only is a natural like him, but continues to play at the collegiate level and plans to coach and give back too. Coach Butch truly had a nurturing approach with all his players and loved each one of them.
After a lengthy illness, which he suffered much in silence, his spirit did not bend, he lost the battle, and our worlds just became a bit dimmer and hearts heavy, but Butch left us with many memories, one liners and numerous ways to continue his legacy.
A very special thank you to the staff of the VA Hospice Heroes Harbor Community Living Center for their exceptional care in his final weeks.
A burial with Military Honors will take place on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 11:00am at the New Willimantic Cemetery, 1700 W. Main Street, Willimantic, CT followed by an ‘Celebration of Butch's Life’ at the American Legion, 339 Bricktop Road, Windham, CT.
Friends & Family are welcome to celebrate his life on Veterans Day Weekend, his favorite holiday, with stories, rock & roll, laughter, sports talk, food, and drinks.
In Memory of Aivars Bivins donations can be made to:
American Legion
PO Box 153
Willimantic CT 06226.
"In Memory of Butch Bivins"
and/or
Please consider donating for a lovely ‘In Remembrance Bench’ to honor the first boys or girls’ team to bring home the CT Cup for the Columbia Windham Soccer Alliance (CWSA) since its foundation in 1990. The bench will be a place to fondly remember those we have lost and hold onto the memories we shared together. It will be set up at Columbia’s Recreation Park on Hennequin Rd. The Lightning Striker soccer girl’s commitment and bond along with their dedicated coaches, Julie Hughes, Butch Bivins, and Jill Skowrenski made history, and deserve to be remembered for the first ever, and back-to-back CT Cup Championships in 2013 and 2014.
Please Make Checks Payable to:
Julie Hughes
76 Doubleday Rd
Columbia, CT 06237
Memo – Remembrance Bench
*A Day of Giving Back Annually with CT Cup Champions from CWSA and coaches; To see past players give back, would make him proud! More details TBA.
and/or
The Skin Cancer Foundation 205 Lexington Avenue, 11th Floor
New York, New York 10016
http://give.skincancer.org/campaign/fundraise-your-way/c279921
“In Memory of Butch Bivins”
As Butch would always like to say; “You can sleep when you die!” The time is here, “Goodnight Butch, Labunakti”
Read More
Aivars J. Bivins, (Butch) 68, beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, coach, friend, athlete, active community member, and hero, passed away on September 22, 2022.
Aivars was born on June 29, 1954, the son of the late Janis and Laima Bivins of Latvian descent; they met and raised their children in the Lutheran Church.
Once Butch’s father and uncle learned English, they began a carpentry business and Aivars worked alongside them as a child and continued in construction for his career; A.J. Bivins Construction. Butch was a talented carpenter, woodworker, and craftsman.
Bivins was a 1972 graduate of Windham High School where he was captain of the soccer team and President of the ski club. Butch recently served on the 50-year high school reunion committee and was unfortunately unable to attend, but did view photos of the reunion, 72' was also the first class to graduate from WHS on High Street. Butch was a jock, and often called ‘The Maestro’ of soccer, playing semi-pro in the U.S. and while serving in the military.
Aivars served in the United States Army from 1974-1976, the Vietnam War era. Aivars raved about the military and believed everyone should join if able. AJ’s military occupational specialty was skiing, spending his service years as ski patrol in Germany. Woody Woodbury, his Veterans Counselor was a great support to Butch. Bivins was an active member at the Willimantic, American Legion, serving his last years as the Treasurer.
A.J. Bivins stayed active throughout his life, lending a helping hand, and loving life. He was an avid golfer and member at the Willimantic Country Club. He certainly enjoyed cooking and grilling for family. Butch was very social, he could tell stories for days, ‘unfiltered.’
Aivars leaves his beloved sister Elga Bivins, brother Valdis Bivins, cousins, aunts, and uncles. He unconditionally loved Gail Ceccarelli who was a dear friend. Butch enjoyed spending time with his lifelong/childhood friends; Hank Reed, Tom (Bones)Hammon, Kaj Munic, Charlie Boucher, Randy Peterson, Jerry Hughes, Marsh Ryan, and many more Close Fellas.
Butch’s pride and joy were his granddaughter, Julia Alicea and stepdaughter, Tara Cramer. If you knew Butch, you heard about ‘His Girls.’ The highlight of his soccer career was coaching his granddaughter for a decade or more in all sports; he thoroughly enjoyed every second; winning the CT Cup twice, making history in the Columbia Windham Soccer Alliance (CWSA) was unforgettable. His passion for soccer was contagious, Julia not only is a natural like him, but continues to play at the collegiate level and plans to coach and give back too. Coach Butch truly had a nurturing approach with all his players and loved each one of them.
After a lengthy illness, which he suffered much in silence, his spirit did not bend, he lost the battle, and our worlds just became a bit dimmer and hearts heavy, but Butch left us with many memories, one liners and numerous ways to continue his legacy.
A very special thank you to the staff of the VA Hospice Heroes Harbor Community Living Center for their exceptional care in his final weeks.
A burial with Military Honors will take place on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 11:00am at the New Willimantic Cemetery, 1700 W. Main Street, Willimantic, CT followed by an ‘Celebration of Butch's Life’ at the American Legion, 339 Bricktop Road, Windham, CT.
Friends & Family are welcome to celebrate his life on Veterans Day Weekend, his favorite holiday, with stories, rock & roll, laughter, sports talk, food, and drinks.
In Memory of Aivars Bivins donations can be made to:
American Legion
PO Box 153
Willimantic CT 06226.
"In Memory of Butch Bivins"
and/or
Please consider donating for a lovely ‘In Remembrance Bench’ to honor the first boys or girls’ team to bring home the CT Cup for the Columbia Windham Soccer Alliance (CWSA) since its foundation in 1990. The bench will be a place to fondly remember those we have lost and hold onto the memories we shared together. It will be set up at Columbia’s Recreation Park on Hennequin Rd. The Lightning Striker soccer girl’s commitment and bond along with their dedicated coaches, Julie Hughes, Butch Bivins, and Jill Skowrenski made history, and deserve to be remembered for the first ever, and back-to-back CT Cup Championships in 2013 and 2014.
Please Make Checks Payable to:
Julie Hughes
76 Doubleday Rd
Columbia, CT 06237
Memo – Remembrance Bench
*A Day of Giving Back Annually with CT Cup Champions from CWSA and coaches; To see past players give back, would make him proud! More details TBA.
and/or
The Skin Cancer Foundation 205 Lexington Avenue, 11th Floor
New York, New York 10016
http://give.skincancer.org/campaign/fundraise-your-way/c279921
“In Memory of Butch Bivins”
As Butch would always like to say; “You can sleep when you die!” The time is here, “Goodnight Butch, Labunakti”
Read More
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