Vernon E. Hutchins, 83, of Jefferson, passed away at LincolnHealth – Miles Campus in Damariscotta on July 12 after a long struggle with declining health. He had been under hospice care for a few weeks.
He was born on Jan. 17, 1934, son of Myron and Marguerite Hutchins of Waldoboro. He graduated from Waldoboro High in 1952 and attended the University of Maine in Orono for one year before enlisting in the Navy during the Korean War.
Vernon married the former Carolyn Vannah of Plymouth, Mass. in 1954.
His Navy career started in Washington, D.C. where he attended Fleet Training School. He served on submarine tenders in West Key, Fla., Charleston, S.C., and Norfolk, Va. In Newport, R.I. he taught battery alignment and gun fire support at the Fleet Training Center. In Groton, Conn. he was an instructor at the Submarine Attack Center, from which he retired after serving 20 years as a chief fire control technician. He worked at Sears, Roebuck in New London, Conn. in the building supply department and for John Hancock Insurance Company before moving back to Maine in 1983 and he then built his home on Damariscotta Lake. Before retiring completely he drove a school bus for the Town of Jefferson for a few years.
He was a longtime member of the Orff’s Corner Community Church, where he served as a trustee and usher with his brother Raymond for many years. He was also a member of the American Legion in Waldoboro, the Fleet Reserve Association and the Jefferson Historical Society.
He was predeceased by parents, Myron and Marguerite Hutchins; and brother, Raymond Hutchins.
Vernon is survived by his wife of 62 years; son, Gary V. Hutchins and wife Sheila of Salem, Conn.; daughter, Marcia Vertefeuille of Frankfort; grandson, Justin Vertefeuille of Belfast; granddaughters, Andrea Paxton and husband Bill of Quaker Hill, Conn., Shelly Hutchins and partner Robert Richman, and Ashley Drago and husband Russell; great-grandchildren, Hannah, Ethan, Ryan and Jack; brother, Harold Hutchins and wife Cindy of Waldoboro; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Sat., July 15 at the Orff’s Corner Community Church, Rt. 32, Waldoboro with Rev. Bob Bellows officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vernon’s memory to the Orff’s Corner Community Church, P.O. Box 1021, Waldoboro, ME 04572; the Orff’s Corner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 1000, Jefferson, ME 04348; or the Miles & St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice at Maine Health, 40 Belvedere Rd., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
To extend online condolences to the family please visit www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Hall’s of Waldoboro has care of the arrangements.
