Obituary of Edward Hutchinson

Edward S. Hutchinson, a 20 year Navy Serviceman and a Risk Control Representative passed away after a short illness on Friday morning, November 1, 2013. He was 85 years old. Ed was born in Parish, NY, the son of the late James and Violet Hutchinson. He grew up and was educated in upper state New York. He enlisted in the Navy at age 18 and served from 1947 to 1967. He had a very honorable and distinguished career in the Navy serving during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was a Boiler Technician on the USS Purdy for 10 years and also served on the USS Forrest Sherman and USS Mitcher. During those years, he spent a large amount of time at sea including two back to back World Cruises. He had so much knowledge about ship boilers that near the end of his career he became an inspector and member of a three person Navy team called the “BAT Team”. The team was on standby to travel to any location on the east coast to service ship’s boilers of the Atlantic Fleet. They had the power to keep a ship in dock until they were satisfied of its working condition. Ed was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal. After his retirement from the Navy as Senior Chief Petty Officer, he stayed connected to both the military and the Navy. He was a member and Past-Commander of the American Legion, a member of the Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He attended reunions with crew members of his past ships, volunteered at the Veterans Administration hospitals, and proudly participated in ceremonies and events to honor and remember his fellow Veterans. After the military, Ed was a Risk Control Representative for 25 years at Commercial Union Insurance Company. Ed and Ellie settled in Burlington in 1967 where they would become active members of the community and raise their six children. He was active in the Burlington Council on Aging where he volunteered and participated in many of the activities and events. He enjoyed working on and flying his remote control helicopter and planes. He and his wife, Ellie, traveled all over the United States and Canada in their recreation camper often visiting friends, military bases, historic sites, and our national landmarks and treasures. In Burlington, they were always active in the community, volunteering at church, for People Helping People, The Wish Tree, attending meetings, and sharing time with friends and neighbors. His home, with his 6 children, 12 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren could not be described as a quiet place. It was filled with laughter and a lot of love. His children grew up seeing the sacrifices their father made for his family and country and his strength of character he exemplified as a father. Ed truly loved his country and family. Ed was the loving husband of 63 years of Eleanor “Ellie” (Buonomo). Loving father of Edward & his wife Sally of PA, Richard & his wife Deborah of North Billerica, Alan & his wife Jane of Templeton, Corinne Morette & her husband Walter of Leominster, Brian of Billerica and Dana of Burlington. Brother of 4 sisters and 5 brothers. Proud grandfather of Jennifer Fortunato, Adam, Christopher, Shawn, Scott, Ryan & Holly Hutchinson, Kyle & Connor Morette, Neil Galleguillos, Casey Layon and Danielle Sawyer. Also survived by 10 great grandchildren. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Monday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Ed’s name may be made to New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, Advancement Office, 17 Court St. 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02108 www. nechv.thankyou4caring.org or Disabled American Veterans, Dept. of MA, RM 546, State House, Boston, MA 02133 www.davma.org