JOHN BORROWMAN HUTCHISON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JOHN BORROWMAN HUTCHISON It is with great sadness that the Hutchison family of Pine Falls, Manitoba, acknowledges the passing of John Borrowman Hutchison. John is survived by his wife Mary of 65 years, their four children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Eric (Nancy: Cam (Launi) and Cait), Cathy (Paul: Michael (Jung-Ae: Duncan), Aidan (Jean-Francois: Claire), Michael (Kate: James, Sarah Beth, Robb, Annie), and Mark (Janet: Meaghan, Liam). He is predeceased by his sister Helen, and his brothers Dave, Clarence, and Ray and survived by his brother Peter. John was born April 13, 1924 to Mahnia (née Glass) and Harry Hutchison near Dauphin, Manitoba. He grew up in Pine Falls with his sister and four brothers: together making up an all-Hutchison ice hockey line. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy at the age of 17, and served as a stoker on the Corvette HMCS Rosthern. During one memorable afternoon, he learned that an entire box of cleaning soap was more than adequate for washing his standard issue blanket, and paid for the error by going without a blanket until his next paycheque. While attending a dance on leave in Halifax, John's eye was caught by a stunning redhead in a white pleated skirt across the floor. They managed to introduce themselves after Mary escaped her erstwhile dance partner: John married Mary McMullen on July 7, 1946 in her hometown of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. The couple settled in Pine Falls where John worked in the paper mill and farmed, and Mary taught English and music. The two were avid figure skaters and were actively involved in many musical and social activities in Pine Falls, including the Stirling Pipe Band. Over the course of his 43 years at the paper mill, John worked his way up to Papermill Superintendent, and was highly respected throughout the entire paper industry. In his retirement, he was flown to paper mills across North America to lend his expertise to solving paper machine problems. After retiring, John and Mary enjoyed travelling the world together, including Australia, Hawaii and Europe. John loved spending time at the shack with his grandchildren, teaching them to outrun bears, and swim and water ski without getting wet. John worked hard and loved his family: he would light up telling stories of Navy life, and loved waking early every morning to make porridge and toast for everyone. His family wishes to extend their deepest and most heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Sunnywood Manor of Pine Falls, MB. A celebration of John's life will be held in the summer of 2012: for further information please contact Sarah Beth Hutchison at sarahbeth.hutchison@gmail.com, or Cathy McNeil at (204) 367-2393. Donations to the Sunnywood Manor Personal Care Home or a charity of your choice are gratefully appreciated in lieu of flowers. Glen Eden Funeral Home 338-7111 www.gleneden-mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 09, 2012