Paul 'Butcher' Vachon passes away at 86

Paul "Butcher" Vachon, a member of the legendary Vachon pro wrestling family, has passed away.

Vachon, 86, died on February 29. He was both a wrestler and promoter during his career, which included teaming with his brother Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon and promoting Grand Prix Wrestling in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Vachon's death was announced on Friday by pro wrestling journalist and historian Pat Laprade:

Sad news. Paul 'The Butcher' Vachon died last night at the age of 86 years old. Former AWA tag team champ, Grand Prix Wrestling promoter and WWE wrestler, he had a great career and became a friend of mine over the years. My sympathies to his wife Dee and his family.

Laprade joined Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales on Wrestling Observer Radio to discuss Vachon's career and their friendship.

Meltzer wrote:

Sorry to hear about the death of Paul 'Butcher' Vachon at 86 last night. The Vachons were one of the great tag teams in history. Paul was an amateur champion and had a long career as a pro. I know he and my friend Pat Laprade were very close.

Paul & Mad Dog Vachon held the AWA Tag Team titles together for 623 days from 1969 to 1971.

Born in 1937, Paul was also the brother of Vivian Vachon (real name Diane Vachon) and was the adoptive father of Luna Vachon (Gertrude Vachon).

Vachon battled cancer multiple times during his life.

In March 2023, Vachon had a tumor on his skull removed.

"The journey has taken me to now eating only Pureed foods (not so bad.saves me from chewing)," Vachon wrote last November. "My Conversations r difficult to understand...Use hand signals and clap to get my caregivers attention..I smile alot and wink at my wife."

Vachon and his wife Dee celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in September of last year.