Francis H. Hutchins

WASHINGTON - Francis H. "Hutch" Hutchins, 85, of Vermette Lane, passed away Monday, February 29, 2016, at the Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin.
Born October 14, 1930, in East Barre, he was the son of Leon and Harriet (Moore) Hutchins. He attended East Barre Elementary School and Spaulding High School in Barre and later received his GED. Hutch joined the U.S. Navy in December of 1947 and was based out of Norfolk, Virginia, for most of his 23 years of service. He was a master chief boiler technician aboard the USS Rich and had served in the Mediterranean Sea. He was honorably discharged in June of 1970.
In September of 1955, Francis married Maryann Boys. She predeceased him. In August of 2003, he married Marie Button. They made their home in Washington. She also predeceased him.
Hutch first lived in East Barre. While he served in the military, he was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. After his discharge, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts, and was employed as a building supervisor in the Boston area. He returned to Vermont and resided in Websterville and Washington. While in Washington, Hutch was involved with farming, haying, and had a particular love for raising miniature horses. After retiring, he moved to Ocala, Florida.
Francis was a member of the American Legion in Florida, VFW Post 790 in Barre Town and the Loyal Order of the Moose in Barre. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, miniature horses, playing cards and snowmobiling.
He is survived by a daughter, Kelly Townsend and her husband, Michael, and a son, Barry Hutchins and his wife, Michelle, all of Pensacola, Florida; four grandchildren, Andrew Hunter, Aaron Hunter, Keri Hutchins and Brandy Hutchins, and four great-grandchildren; a step-grandson, Chad McGowan and his wife, Alijha, of Jacksonville, Florida; a brother, Edward Hutchins and his wife, Janet, of Websterville; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents; two sons, Sandy Hutchins and Robert Hutchins; two brothers, Kenneth Hutchins and Kermit Hutchins; and a great-grandson, Anthony McGowan.
Family and friends may call at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre, on Thursday, March 10, 2016, from 6 to 8 p.m. A graveside service with military honors will be held in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Washington with the date and time to be announced in late summer.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Woodridge Nursing Home, Resident Activities Fund, PO Box 550, Barre, VT 05641.
For a memorial guestbook, visit www.hookerwhitcomb.com.