Harold B. Hutchinson

TOPSHAM — Harold B. (Hutch) Hutchinson, 89, passed away at The Highlands, Topsham, on Sunday, Oct. 1.

He was born in Buckfield, May 4, 1928, a son of Arthur Burton and Evelyn (Libby) Hutchinson. He was a graduate of Buckfield High School, Class of 1946. “Hutch” was a multi-sport athlete competing in baseball, football and skiing. Through school he was also introduced to apple harvesting, and worked after school and weekends throughout the year at Bessey’s Pickle and Apple Shop processing, packing goods and cider; later in life also working at Smith’s and Cooper’s Orchards for several years.

Upon graduating from high school, Harold enlisted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, receiving training and surveyor school instruction at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. He served in Japan as part of a Survey Battalion to proposed WWII invasion sites, later overseeing remapping of several islands in the Philippines. He concluded his service as a surveyor school Instructor at Ft. Belvoir. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Maine.

As a registered professional engineer and land surveyor, he was employed by the State of Maine as a design engineer for the Maine Turnpike Extension, continuing his career with Wright & Pierce, Topsham, later for the offices of the Town of Brunswick, City of Portland, and the Town of Yarmouth from which he retired in 1988.

He served as a trustee of the Brunswick-Topsham Water District, a lifelong member and once regional director of the American Public Works Association, as well as a member of the Maine Chapter for over 50 years.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church for over 50 years, having served on several church boards and committees. For the last several years Hutch volunteered at Mid Coast Hospital, Brunswick.

He married Barbara Purinton Lamb on April 8, 1967. The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary on April 8, 2017! The couple traveled to all 50 of the United States, many Canadian provinces, and 15 countries. They were regular attendees at the Boston Red Sox spring training for 38 years. Hutch even played in the Boston Red Sox Old-timers Fantasy Camp in 1991, in which he was chosen as the most valuable player for his session.

Mrs. Hutchinson died Friday, Sept. 30, 25½ hours earlier at their home. He was also predeceased by his brother, Rodney Adelbert.

He is survived by two daughters, Nancy Caton and her husband, David of Wells, Rebecca Hudnor and her husband, Frank of Brunswick; a son, Jeffrey Hutchinson and his wife, Diane of Brunswick; two step-daughters, Susan Lamb and her partner, Steve Collemer of Dresden, Judith Andrews and her husband, Dick of Brunswick; a sister, Mary Houlihan of Auburn; five grandchildren, Peter Christopher, Sarah Christopher, Christopher Hudnor, Justin Hudnor, and Erin Sylvester; two great-grandchildren, Nathan MacDonald and Sadie Christopher.

The family wishes to thank the attentive and caring staff from Friendship Cove at The Highlands, CHANS Hospice, as well as all of the personal physicians and staffs.

Memories and condolences can be shared at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.

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