Trudeau visits Cape Breton to attend funeral for mother of longtime friend, adviser

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends the service for Rita Butts at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Bridgeport, N.S., on May 16, 2016.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau travelled to Glace Bay, N.S., on Monday honour the life of Rita Butts, the late mother of one of his closest friends.

Trudeau did his best not to steal the spotlight; however, his presence certainly did not go unnoticed.

“I didn’t know it was him, when I first sat down,” says mourner Caroline McNeil. “When they were doing communion, there was a lady walking down the aisle with a cane. Justin got up, took her hand, and walked her back to her seat.”

Trudeau’s attendance was to support his principal secretary and close friend, Gerald Butts.

“I think I’m just honoured that the prime minister of the country, that I know has a busy schedule, would come and share this moment with us,” says Joseph Butts, Gerald’s brother. “He was very close to my brother.”

The friendship between Gerald Butts and Trudeau began at McGill University in Montreal, and continued as they later joined forces on the campaign trial.

But the funeral service put their business relationship aside.

“It’s more than politics - it’s friendship, it’s trust, it’s just family,” says Joseph Butts. “It’s very important to both of them.”

The prime minister drew a large security presence at the funeral in the Bridgeport neighbourhood.

“It was beautiful and very touching,” says funeral attendee, Diane Hickey. “Especially afterwards, downstairs, when the boys got up and spoke. Rita was quite the lady.”

Trudeau made sure to keep his visit low key by arriving just before the funeral began, mingling with the guests after the service, and then quickly boarding the plane for an appointment in Montreal.

Mourners say the prime minister was very respectful during his visit, shaking hands with all and greeting everyone in a non-campaign way.

Many also said Trudeau’s visit showed what kind of man Gerald Butts is.

“The fact that he would show up and be here for him, he must respect him an awful lot,” says mourner, Tim Hickey.

In an interview with CTV News last fall, Rita spoke highly of the relationship between her son and the prime minister.

“I’m very happy for him and for Justin,” said Rita Butts. “I hope the two of them have made a good match.”

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore