In Memory of Kurt Boutin, from Members of the South Shore Saints
On May 11, Mother's Day, 2025, we learnt of the tragic loss of a close friend of the chorus, Kurt Boutin of the Granite Statesmen in Nashua, New Hampshire, who had performed with us only 6 months earlier at our 2024 annual show as the bass of our guest quartet SKARMONY.
Two weeks ago on August 9, many who knew Kurt attended a gathering of nearly 100 people to celebrate his life in Nashua. A number of members, including Alan Briand and Steve Wheaton, were there for support.
The following are some memories of Kurt Boutin shared by other members who could not attend the event. I had been tasked to collate the memories by Alan, although I forgot to compile them together and send them to him. To be sure that I did not leave any contribution out, I wish here to belatedly provide all of the memories that had been forwarded to me.
Guy Filion :
Kurt, I should have told you this a long time ago, but what was really genuine with you was your generosity and the way your cared about your family, fellow barbershoppers and people in general.
For instance, at the afterglow after the last November show of the Saints in Saint-Lambert, my quartet 4Give n 4Get tried to sing a superb song: "With A Little Help From My Friends." We did not make it to the end...
A few minutes later, as I was talking about our poor performance at our table, you told me straight in the face: "So what. Just keep on and you might get it correctly one day". I took note.
Kurt, you might be interested in the fact that our quartet - Tatsuya, Brian, Luc and I, sang this song to the very end, and with passion, last June 18th at our annual BBQ at our Hall in Greenfield Park. The BBQ was a tribute to our late friend Luigi who passed away last January.
Our delivery was not perfect, but we got a great reaction from the crowd: thanks to you, Kurt, because we remembered your words at the afterglow, and we all gave it our best shot.
We plan to keep on working on this song. We all like it very much.
I will keep you posted in my mind on the progress of our quartet, especially this very song.
Merci, Kurt Boutin,
Amitiés, Guy Filion
Mario Lapointe :
My favourite memory of Kurt was that last walk we had together after supper on the Saturday night of spring competitions in Lake George...
Kurt & I were discussing our favourite hobbies and musical artists and his smile was beaming every time he'd mention an artist or group I had never heard of that he thought I would really dig... prime of which was one of his favourite acapella groups "BR6" and their rendition of "Waters of March/Rhapsody In Blue"... a song that perfectly reflects the light-hearted "joy de vivre" that he exuded...
He left an indelible mark on us all...
Until we meet again in the chorus above the clouds Kurt!
Pierre-Éric Greaves :
Ironically, I do not have a favorite memory. I will cherish forever all the too few memories I have of Kurt...
I met Kurt in Alan and Kim's hotel room during my first contest in Queensbury. He was introduced to me as a friend of Alan's and instantly became a friend of mine. What I'll remember most is his booming low voice. I right away understood that he was not singing Tenor. I loved and was a bit envious of his vibrant bass voice.
He left us too soon. I'll miss the long conversation that we had about music, barbershop and gaming. He was a wonderful coach helping us work on our expression and taking his time to be with my quartet at the last contest.
Like all of you I'll miss him even if I have only known him for a few years. I'll still have the reflex of looking forward to seeing him at contest. I'll be smiling to myself knowing that if he has the power, he will attend in spirit..."
Tatsuya Oyama :
I had known his name, as he had been a friend of our chorus directors for some time. My initial impression of him when I had previously seen him at singing conventions was that he was a quite reserved person. Last summer, however, I came to know him more personally when, as chair of the show committee, I asked if he could provide an introduction to his quartet for our show program. Only when he surprised me with a wonderfully playful piece did I realize what a warm and funny person he was.
During the 2024 annual show, I remember how Kurt's deep bass voice seemed to have a calming effect on all the chorus members as we listened to his quartet from behind the curtains. And I will always fondly remember a brief but memorable one-on-one conversation we had following the show, when he provided gracious comments on the show and warm words of encouragement.
I will remember his last words to me in response to an e-mail I had sent him our annual synopsis of memories for 2024 :
"Tatsuya
Thank you so much for this! While I'm looking forward to see what adventures are in your future, I know that the South Shore Saints will be poorer without your presence! Good luck in your travels and hope your year is filled with awe and wonder!
Kurt"
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