July 23, 2016
Hutchens, Hylie W. “Lee”
Hylie Wilbert Hutchens, Jr., a resident of Norwood, died Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at Boston Medical Center in Boston. He was 77. Lee was born in Cleveland, Ohio, one of the three sons of Hylie W. Sr. and Helen (Alexander) Hutchens. He served on active duty in the US Navy from 1957 to 1959 in the submarine corps and then in the Naval Reserve for an additional 26 years. Lee worked as a branch manager for Myers Tire Supply Company in Randolph, and then for many years as a consultant for Factory Mutual in Norwood. He is survived by his wife, Diane (Latimer) Hutchens; his two sons, David Hutchens, and his wife Carolyn, of Norwood, and Ken Hutchens, and his wife Laura, of Marlborough; his two brothers, Bernie Hutchens, and his wife Vicky, of Orleans, and Dale Hutchens, and his wife Peggy, of Lynnville, Tennessee; as well as his three cherished grandchildren, Chris, Tyler, and Ashley. Lee was a member of Orient Lodge AF & AM of Norwood and of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. He loved flying, having owned his own plane and was frequently found officiating at baseball and football games. Visiting hours will be held Sunday, July 24th from 4 to 8 pm with a masonic service starting at 7PM at the Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton Street, Dedham. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Monday, July 25th at 11 am at St, Paul’s Anglican Parish, 701 Pleasant Street, Brockton, MA. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory to St. Pal’s Parish Building Fund, 701 Pleasant Street, Brockton, MA 02301 or to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children , 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114 would be appreciated.
Comments(51)
I’ll Toast You “Gone West”
I will miss you and even though we disagreed on many things I always loved and respected you.
-Fair winds and following seas.
We’ll miss you, Lee. But, rest assured that you will live on and on through the hearts and minds of the countless folks that you’ve touched in life. Rest in Peace!!
Diane and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Lee always made us feel so welcome at St. Paul’s. We will miss his genuine smile and the aura of his deep faith in God. Norm and Shirley Lander
It is with great sadness that I read the news of Lee passing. I would see him in the office at Norwood High School gathering up his substitute assignment(s) for the day with a pep in his step and rays of warmth radiating from his smile and tone. I always told the classes that he used to be famous but now he’s legendary. He sure is and will always be a legend in our thoughts and minds. Until we meet again Lee ~Adios, Sra. Kelley
My condolences to the family …
Diane and Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Lee at this difficult time. Lee and I spent many days on the ball field over the last 30 plus years. I will certainly miss working baseball with Lee.
I always enjoyed working baseball games with you in The Boston Park League. You were a class act and a great umpire. I enjoyed officiating so many games with you. I am so sorry to learn of your passing. I will always remember your positive attitude, love of your family and just plain happy view on life. God Bless you.
LEE’s many friends will all miss him dearly. The Barbershop Chorus called “Main Street USA” in Medway has also been a favorite hobby for Lee for some six years; he sang a perfect pitch lead (melody) to our familiar songs, and also enjoyed performing in several Barbershop quartets. All our members remember his wit and humor; he loved to single out many of us for fun. ‘RIP’ Lee.
Our memories of LEE are many. One of his other hobbies was singing Barbershop Harmony, for the last six years with the “Main Street USA” chorus in Medway. He sang a perfect lead (melody) pitch to our Barbershop songs, and loved to perform in several quartets. Lee also enjoyed poking fun at members, and we liked the banter. ‘RIP’ Lee !
Lee was a truly gem and always a pleasure to be around. I will remember Him for his glowing smile which was contagious to any one around him, man of deep conviction and love for others. As a fellow Q.B. we will miss him and Toast Him “Gone West” and at Norwood Aero Club we will miss Him too.
God’s Speed my Friend
Dear Diane and family, We were shocked and saddened to hear of Lee’s passing. We’ll remember his great sense of humor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Tom, Susan and Mike Curran
The world was a better place with this beautiful man in it. He gave so much, and I will forever be grateful for his beautiful heart, generosity, kindness. I am looking to heaven and smiling, knowing that there is one amazing game of baseball up there, making all the right calls! Sending my love
Lee was a good and honest man. He loved the Airport and all it offered him over the years. I will miss him deeply and we are all thinking of him and his family. He would always swing by on the ramp and say hello. God bless his family. I am a better man for having known him and enjoyed his friendship.
I, along with the surviving crew of the Submarine USS COBBLER are deeply saddened by the loss of our shipmate and great friend, Lee Hutchens. Lee and I went aboard the COBBLER together and worked hard to earn our coveted Silver Dolphins. We became close friends and have stayed in contact for sixty years. Lee was as good a human being as there is. He and I agreed on almost everything except…..”grits”! I am a Southerner, and grits are a staple in every home in the Deep South. Lee didn’t even want to hear the word mentioned. I use to kid him and he would always find something to come back with that would make me laugh.
God Bless Lee and his family.
SAILOR, REST YOUR OAR, YOU ARE HOME!
Charlie Hall
Fort Myers, Florida
My sincere condolences to Lees family. I officiated with Lee in college football, I was really shocked about your loss. We had a good relationship working a sport we loved, many funny happenings, he had a great outlook at what he did.Larry Lafond, Salem NH.
Marcelo carvalho and Nalon family.Ourthoughts and prayes are with you all at this time. Rest in peace my dear Lee.
Diane & Family,
Very sorry to hear of Lee’s passing. I consider myself very fortunate to have met and work baseball with him for many years. His upbeat personality, love for his family and overall perspective on life was truly genuine. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
To the Hutchens family, The baseball community lost a true friend and family member. I worked many high school games with Lee and he had many stories. He was a great baseball partner and umpire. Had alot of laughs our baseball group will miss him a lot.I am so sorry for your loss.
Dominic DiMare
Secretary Treasurer
South Shore Umpires Association
I worked with Lee, communed with him in church, and shared good times at Orient Lodge. Will miss chatting with him and listening to that clear tenor voice.
I worked at Norwood High and found Lee to be a very caring person in his interaction with kids. We both had high school refereeing experience and it was obvious how much he enjoyed that role. He volunteered yearly to ref the powderpuff football game and would never accept any pay for his expert services. He also brought a friend to ref with him and both refused payment. So sad to hear of his passing. He was a wonderful man!
it was 30 years ago that I met you while you were officiating one of my football games and from there you helped me come an official. It was great having you as a friend and a mentor. You will be missed!! Rest in peace.
I offer my prayers and condolences. I used to look forward to working with Lee, and for our post-game conference. He was a good man, and a good friend. He will be missed.
Rest your Oars shipmate.
As a member of the USS Cobbler crew I am saddened by the loss. I will miss his almost daily emails and jokes. Rest you oar brother.
My sincere condolences to the Hutchens family. Although I knew Lee for a relatively short time during my volunteering tenure at the SHC, I enjoyed being and talking with him about anything and everything. He will sorely be missed.
The loss of an energetic, positive friend in Lee will be felt for a long time. His enthusiasm for life and aviation was truly contagious and reflected in all he did for our QB fraternity. He will be missed.
God Speed Brother.
God Bless, and smooth air on your flight west!
I only had the privilege of knowing Lee briefly but his great sense of humor and welcoming personality made a lasting impression. Rest in peace Lee. You will be greatly missed and we will say a toast to you this week at Oshkosh. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Dear Hutchens family, I was so saddened to hear about Lee. I worked with Lee at FM for many years. He was a wonderful person, always a smile and laugh. Living around the corner, I was fortunate enough after he retired to still be able to chat with him about his busy schedule and goings on. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers with you all.
Linda Beaton
Fare well my Brother from the Boston Base, the Masons and Submarine Veterans. Although you have been cut down in the midst of your usefulness, yet the sweet remembrance shall last until time is no more. Fare Shipmate until we meet again.
I did not know Lee well but it was a treat to see Lee at fly-ins, and tease him and the other Norwood pilots about those Norwood Airport badges. We will join Paul in toasting Lee this week at Oshkosh. Godspeed Lee.
Deepest sympathies on Lee’s passing. I officiated football with Lee and was always happy to be on the field with him.
You will be missed in many circles of family and friends. Peace and love to all who came to know you.
Brother Lee, you will never be forgotten and will toast you Gone West. Your service and friendship to many organizations was outstanding and will endure. God Speed and fair winds, from a Brother BOS QB and Mason (Pythagorean, Marion).
With deepest regrets and sorrows, we send our condolences for Lee’s passing. We are so very sorry for your loss.
Sincerely, the Mansour Family
Condolences to the Hutchens family and all who knew and enjoyed being around Lee. Many of us on the football field considered him a friend and a true mentor who took the time to share his knowledge and love for the game and taught us how to have fun. I always looked forward to working with Lee and will miss him and think of him often. A professional and a gentlemen with a great sense of humor. Rest in peace, Lee.
Lou Gaglini (NVFOA)
With deepest sympathies to the Hutchins family. Lee was a great colleague and friend. We officiated high school, college and semi-pro football together over many years. He was a man of great character and integrity and I have many fond memories of our fun times together. He was also a Past President of our officiating board. He will be missed. May God grant you peace and comfort during this very difficut time.
Sincere condolences to Diane and family. Lee’s friendship and good cheer were a wonderful gift to all of us at St.Paul’s Parish. His scripture proclamations were full of vitality and were just one of the many ways he shared his faith. Rest in eternal peace my friend.
You will certainly be missed my friend. I met you 8 years ago as a new football official and you taught me what it meant to be a referee. Your patience, knowledge, insight, experience, contributions, friendship and comradere will be missed by all of us. It was a privilege knowing you, and calling you my friend. Thank you for everything. Rest in peace my friend.
Fair winds and following seas Lee. We came aboard Cobbler same year and went thru some hectic times like the submerged collision with another submarine off New London, CT and that bad cubical fire in the Caribbean.We both left in 1959. You were one of the pushers back aft and I was one of the pointers up forward. God speed. Ollie
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. May all the fond memories you hold deep within your hearts help you to get through the days ahead. Lee was a wonderful man and will be missed by all. RIP FRIEND
This is such a loss. My deepest condolences to the Hutchens family. Lee was one of the people I looked forward to seeing the most each Sunday at Grace Church and even though that was many years ago, I will always remember his warmth and compassion. He was such a special person…I will always be grateful that I had the privilege to know him.
It was a real pleasure to get to know Lee through his frequent appearances at Comanche fly-ins. He will be missed by all of us.
We were shocked with disbelief to hear of Lee’s passing. Lee was such an inspiration and a true gentleman. He was a mans man and an officials official. He worked Kim’s first game as a football official over 10 years ago and told her to work hard and Never give up. She is still officiating football today. He always looked forward to working games and sharing experiences. We were honored to know him. I did have the chance (Thankfully) to say thank you to him while we worked some youth football last fall.
Prayers are with his family and friends. Good bye dear friend and thank you.
I am so sad to hear the sad news. Lee was a special person with a wonderful work ethic, a kind word and a caring manner. We will miss him at Norwood High.
Sincere condolences to Lee’s family. I am blessed to have worked with him. He was an honorable man and a gentleman.
Dave and Family,
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
I go back to over 30 years with Lee. We officiated many football and baseball games. together. Every time I stepped on the field or diamond with Lee, I always came away learning something new. We have shared email jokes and our political views over the years of which we were both in agreement. Not only did I consider Lee a friend but I also had the utmost respect for him as a quality human being.
I am a better person for knowing Lee and he will be sorely missed by everyone he touched.
God bless you my friend, I will miss you and think of you forever.
I will always remember you from our days aboard the Cobbler.
Sailor rest your oar.
God Bless
A true gentleman. I worked with Lee at Shriners Hospital where he volunteered two,days a week. We shared an office suite and had many great talks and laughs. I admired that he was involved in so many things in his retirement years. I loved listening to his stories about his substituting, refereeing and flying. I send my thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. Rest Lee Rest in Peace
…………..we were all shocked and saddend at the sudden and tragic loss of Lee. Lee was our most beloved football official for over 25 years. The wellbeing, safety and proper behavior of the kids on the field always came first with Lee. Please accept our most sincere and heartfelt condolonces to Lee’s entire family for your loss.We will miss Lee and our games will not be the same without him.
Roy Johan, Dave Duffy, and the entire Needham High School Football Coaching Staff