DANNY HUTCH

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DANNY HUTCH
February 26, 1940 - December 11, 2022

It is with very heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Danny, dedicated father, son, brother, friend, and husband.
Danny was predeceased by his parents, Dan and Helen, and by his beloved wife of 41 years Ardith (Joynt).
He will be forever missed by his daughter Erin (and chosen son, Mark); kitty Sweeney; sisters, Irene and Penny (Bob), brother Randy (Val), and many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. He will also be missed by his many friends.
Danny was born and raised in Gimli, Manitoba. He loved the many animals and pets he was surrounded with on the farm, writing poetry, hunting, firearms, and above all, he loved his mother. Danny enjoyed spending time with childhood friends and neighbours, which included Nicky, BB and the Goodman boys. He attended Dnister School until grade 8, and then moved on to Gimli Composite High School, leaving school temporarily at 16. He spent the next four years "knocking around", travelling the country (from coast to coast to coast) and gaining much of the life experience that would ultimately shape his personality (no doubt taking years off of his mother's life). While travelling and working up in Northern Manitoba, he met Bob Tunstall, who shared in many adventures and remained a lifelong friend. Having returned to Gimli to complete high school, Danny graduated in 1964. While at high school for the second time, he met another lifelong friend and brother, Jerry Banera, who is likely with Danny at this very moment.
After graduation, Danny moved to Winnipeg, eventually joining the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) in 1966, which was a defining moment in his life. The pride that he took in his career as a policeman, and the enormous impact it had on his life and character cannot be overstated. He considered himself very lucky to do a job that he derived so much pride and personal satisfaction from. His time with the WPS required great sacrifice on his part, but he knew that he was fortunate to be a part of a larger community and brotherhood. The relationships that he cultivated with his partners (both as a mentor and as a new policeman), fellow members, and the community at large were a source of great pleasure, and greatly missed when he retired from service.
While working full time as a policeman, Danny was proud to achieve a lifelong dream when he obtained his B.A(Hons) in Geography from the University of Winnipeg in 1976. As a result of his Honours thesis (When Jewish Settlers Farmed in Manitoba's Interlake Area), Danny was invited by The Jewish Historical Society to deliver a talk on the subject in 1976. The paper was published in Volume 3 of Jewish Life and Times, and later appeared as an article in The Canadian Geographical Journal in September of 1977, written in collaboration with Professor J. Richtik. After retiring from the WPS in 1994, he worked for many years in the security department at McPhillips Street Station Casino, where more good friends were made. A reluctant retiree, he worked part time for a few more years before permanently retiring in 2019 at the age of 79.
Prior to meeting Ardith in 1974 (and for a long time after meeting her), he was quite dedicated to being a bachelor. There were pistol shoots and competitions to attend (and sometimes, win), trips to Las Vegas with his late friend and car partner Les, gun shows, Toby Jugs to collect, hunting season, etc. But, when he and Ardith were gifted with a daughter in 1977, he found himself on yet another life-altering adventure, the most daunting of all... As a father, Danny excelled. For a guy who never planned on, or even wanted children, he could not have been more committed to being a good dad. Determined that his daughter should want for nothing, it was not unusual for him to come home with a surprise Barbie or a book that he thought she'd like. And like many people of Eastern European descent, he loved to feed others, which included preparing elaborate and thoughtful after-school "snacks" for his daughter, and also introducing her (among many others) to the numerous hole-in-the-wall joints that he discovered while on the job. He distinguished himself as a loving and accepting father to his girl, eventually cultivating yet another good friend in her. His wisdom, hugs, thoughtfulness, sacrifices, unconditional love, integrity, strength, respect, humour, friendship and guidance are gifts that will be treasured forever.
While at the gym in the early 80s, Danny met and befriended yet another lifelong friend and brother, Harmon. They shared a special bond, and Danny could not have been more proud of the person that his young friend has become.
Danny will be remembered for his twinkling blue eyes, his sense of humour, intelligence, sensitivity, kindness, compassion for all of God's creatures (including humans), warmth, curiosity (yeah, he was nosey), astonishingly bad penmanship, authenticity, and his stubbornness and strength. These last two traits served him extremely well through his many frustrating and unfair health issues. Through his many surgeries, recoveries and convalescences over the last 22 years, he faced every challenge with bravery and dignity, and maintained not only his sense of humour, but his love for this life that he was loathe to relinquish. Whether it was his ability to attract colourful characters (he could not abide boring), or his penchant for drama, life in Danny's company was never dull. Never one to let the truth get in the way of a good story, Danny was known for being a superb raconteur, who enjoyed nothing more than sharing tales of his various adventures and experiences. He equally enjoyed getting to know others through conversation, and also by corresponding with the many people he met and befriended over the years. Danny was very good at making friends, which seemed to happen wherever he went. With his natural warmth and charisma, every situation and occasion had the potential to make a friend. Whether it was socially, in the workplace, while on vacation, at the bank, at the gym, grocery shopping, waiting in line at the gas station… You get the picture. Being as loving and lionhearted as he was, he was exceptionally loyal to the people he cared about. Danny was very proud of his family of three (kitties notwithstanding), which eventually grew to include his much-loved son-in-law, Mark, who he welcomed into the family with warmth and acceptance. But in reality, Danny had a much larger chosen family of good friends. He collected and cherished his friends, and held on to them for a lifetime. Or until he was forced to say goodbye (too many times), in the same way that we are left to say goodbye to him, now.
The family wishes to thank the staff on the 7th floor Deer Lodge Centre, whose care and compassion will not soon be forgotten. The family also wishes to thank the staff on the 5th floor of the Asper Institute who apparently, are in the business of miracles.
Cremation has taken place and a service will take place at Thompson in the Park on January 4, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Salvation Army, or your favourite cat shelter in Danny's name.

Condolences may be left on his tribute wall at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 17, 2022, Dec 28, 2022