CDR Arthur C. Dutton II

CDR Arthur C. Dutton, II

Northport, MI - Arthur Claude Dutton II, 86, died Monday, November 10, 2014 at his home in Northport, MI. Art was born April 12, 1928 in Springfield Massachusetts to David Garland Dutton and Constance Mumford Dutton. In 1953, he married Julia Mason Smith at Trinity Church in Buffalo, NY. Living most of his life in Poughkeepsie NY, Art attended Poughkeepsie Day School and The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT where he graduated in 1946. He entered Yale University in the Fall of that year, majoring in economics, sociology, and psychology. He was on the Branford football team ('48) and crew ('48-'50; co-captain '50). He graduated Yale University with the Class of 1950. Art served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as a fighter/bomber pilot, left active service in 1955 and continued to fly with the U.S. Navy Reserves. He retired from the Reserves at the rank of Commander and became a Life Member of the Naval Reserve Association. Art was a lifetime member of Christ Episcopal Church in Poughkeepsie, NY and served on the vestry. Music was an integral part of Art's life. He played guitar and piano and would have a harmonica or two ready in his pocket for spontaneous opportunities to entertain. Singing was his greatest passion. While at Yale, he immersed himself, singing with the Freshman Glee Club, Octet, Apollo Glee Club, Spizzwinks ('47-'49), Yale Glee Club, Sow Belly Seven ('48-'50) and the Whiffenpoofs ('49-'50). He continued to sing while in the Navy and Navy Reserve. During the 4 years he lived in Rochester NY, he and Julia sang with the Rochester Oratorio. They sang with the Christ Church choir in Poughkeepsie for 45 years. Song was his gift through his dying days. Art was President/Treasurer of A.C. Dutton Lumber Corporation, founded by his grandfather. He served his community in many ways, including volunteer fire fighter, Boy Scout leader and Advisory Board member of the Salvation Army. He loved smoking his pipe and chopping firewood.

In addition to his wife, Julia, Art is survived by his siblings, David Jr. (Barbara), John (Yvonne) and Cynthia Hasler; his children, Art (Wooley), Phil (Lois), Amelia Moore (Steve), Peter, Sarah Biuso (Jerry); and his nine grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Church in Poughkeepsie, NY in the Spring and a private burial service will be held in Cornwall, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Poughkeepsie New York Salvation Army-Poughkeepsie Corps., 19 Pershing Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601 or Munson Hospice at 1105 6th Street, Traverse City, MI 49684. Please feel free to share thoughts and memories with Art's family online at www.martinson.info.