Everett L. Tuttle

1919 - 2016

GULFPORT, Fla. - Everett L. Tuttle, 96, professor emeritus of Simmons College, Boston, passed away peacefully on Aug. 9, 2016, in Florida. He was a resident of Portland and Florida, and he also had resided in New Jeresey, New York, and Massachusetts. Everett was born in Portland in 1919, the only child of the late Myrtle (Tuttle) Nelson and Harry Tuttle.

Everett came from humble beginnings and worked hard to build the life he wanted. Everett was a Boy Scout, eventually earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He worked various jobs: as a delivery driver for Oakhurst Dairy and Oxford Bakery, as well as a youth leader for the National Youth Administration as part of the New Deal. As young men, Everett and his best friend, Ray Edwards, saved a woman from drowning on Forest Lake in Cumberland.

Everett joined the U.S. Army in 1940. Due to his first aid knowledge, he was assigned to the 601st Medical Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division. He was sent to North Africa where he helped establish hospitals and infirmaries. In 1943, his unit was transferred to Italy where he continued to care for the wounded. His last responsibility to the Army was at Cushing General Hospital in Framingham, Mass. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army on Aug. 4, 1945.

Everett continued to work many different jobs while he was taking advantage of the G.I. Bill's education benefits. He received a B.S. from Bates College in June of 1949, and an M.S. from the University of Maine in January of 1953. With this degree in hand, Everett continued to Rutgers University and earned a doctorate in entomology. He then worked for the USDA as a researcher in Geneva, N.Y., and Presque Isle. Later he became a chemistry instructor at Gorham State Teachers College. In 1961, Everett joined the faculty of Simmons College, Boston, as a professor of biology and genetics, where he taught until 1982. For the next five years he taught at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and retired in 1987.

Everett took care of his aunt and mother for many years. In 1987, he married his second wife, Mabel M. (Cormier) Tuttle. He and Mabel enjoyed summers at their camp on Forest Lake and winters at their condo in Gulfport, Fla. They traveled to England, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and throughout the United States.

He enjoyed ballroom dancing, playing cards with friends, crossword puzzles, the Red Sox, and spending time with family. Everett continued to dance into his 90s. He will be remembered for his warm smile, quick wit and resiliency.

Everett is survived by his beloved daughters, Carol Louise Tuttle Lang and her husband, Kenneth, of Weymouth, Mass., and Betty Lynn Tuttle Nye and her husband, Robert, of Charlottesville, Va. He also leaves behind his cherished granddaughters, Cynthia Elizabeth Jennie Lang and her husband John B. Hanula, of Weymouth, Mass., and Sara L. Shaughnessy, of Westport, Mass. Everett was joyously awaiting the birth of Cynthia's baby.

He also is survived by his beloved stepdaughter, Dianne Pasieka, and her husband, Frank (Spider), of Portland; loving grandchildren, Jessica McGarey and her husband Ed, of Pooler, Ga., and Jason McCormack and his wife, Jody, of Portland; and adored great-grandsons, USAF Airman 1st Class Cody McCormack, and his wife Ashlee, of Alaska, and Justin McCormack of Portland.

Everett was predeceased in 2007 by his wife of 20 years, Mabel Tuttle. His former wife of 24 years, Dorothy F. (Kane) Tuttle, predeceased him by 13 days.

A private Memorial Service has been held, with interment at Forest City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Homes, proudly serving the veterans of Greater Portland. To view Everett's memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit: www.ConroyTullyWalker.com

In Everett's memory, be kind to people and pets.