HUTCHISON, Donald Ernest
Donald Ernest Hutchison was born in Winnipeg on?July 19th 1924. He entered into rest after a courageous battle with cancer on July 26, 2007.
In addition to his wife Nancy (nee Eden) he leaves to mourn his three children Rick (Jeanne), Lynn (Dan Hucul) and Dale (Linda).
He also leaves to mourn his Grandchildren Jarin & Joel Hutchison, Kimberly (Ken), Keith (Rochelle) and Andrew Hucul, Heather (Grant) & Amber (Daniel) Hutchison, Great Grandchildren, Maddy age 10 (Don’s Soul Mate), Keenan 4 and Luke 1.
Other survivors are many in-laws, nieces and nephews and their off spring especially Jock who was like another son.
Don married Nan on April 27th, 1957 and in 1961 was transferred as a Sales Rep to Vancouver, BC. Having spent several years in the navy, the sea kept calling, so Don left the selling profession and went to work for Vancouver Tug as a deck hand until he earned enough sea time to write for his Masters Ticket. He then worked for 8 years for the North Fraser Harbor Control and left them to work for Shield’s Navigation. His desire to live on Vancouver Island resulted in a move to Errington on July 28, 1973 but when Dale was lost overnight in Englishman River, Don applied and got a position with the Department of National Defense in Nanoose where he was a Master on the Songhee and later Senior Master until he retired on July 31, 1989.
Don was always a Volunteer, he along with a small group formed the District 69 Lacrosse Association and Don became an Executive Member. He was a 35 year member of the Mount Arrowsmith Branch #49 of the Royal Canadian Legion where he was on the executive as Entertainment Chairman for two years.
In 1981 he ran for Director of Area F and was elected and completed two terms. He also sat on the Trillium Lodge Board for 10 years and the last 3 as Chairman.
He was also on the board of the Errington Fire Department for nine years and spent two terms as Chairman. Then representing the Fire Department, he sat on the steering committee again as Chairman for 18 months gathering the information to form the Official Community Plan which is now in effect.
He thought his volunteer days were over but having been an Officer with the Navy League in Vancouver he found he was again needed and sat on the executive of the Navy League in District 69 and once again became Chairman & the Bingo liaison which he did until his health began to fail.
Well Don, you finally deserve to rest. You made all your goals during your 3 ½ year illness, the last two being your 50th anniversary and your 83rd birthday. Rest in peace darling.
The Celebration of Don’s Life will take place at Yates Funeral Parlor at 2 p.m on Saturday August 4th, 2007.
In lieu of flowers those who wish may make a donation to:
Vancouver Island LodgeMasonic Cancer Car Fund
2202 Richmond Rd. -OR-c/o Bryan Lapp
Victoria, BC V8R 4R5770 Erminskin Ave
Parksville, BC V9S 2L5