CARIBOU – Laurence “Dutchie” Hutchinson, 85, well known Caribou businessman and civic leader, died Feb. 4, 2007, in Caribou. He was born June 20, 1921, in Caribou, the son of Laurence and Anna (MacDonald Wellington) Hutchinson Sr. He was a 1939 graduate of Caribou High School and after graduation was employed by the U.S. Postal Office in Caribou for two years and served as an auxiliary fireman with the Caribou Fire Department. In 1942 he entered the U.S. Army and was a graduate of the Gulf Coast Training Command School at Morse Field, Texas. He was then ordered to active duty as a second lieutenant pilot with the 322nd Fighter Squadron at Westover Field, training in the P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft. In 1943 he was then assigned to the 373rd Fighter Group, 410th Fighter Squadron in the European theatre, flying 72 missions and 132 sorties over Europe. He was shot down on Omaha Beach and was rescued by the Royal Air Force. He received many awards and commendations including 13 Oak Leaf Clusters and four battle stars, the American Campaign and European Campaign medals, and the Victory Medal. After the war Laurence was appointed to the U.S. Air Force reserve, where he retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1960. He was a member of the Lister Knowlton Post No. 9389 VFW, the Henry B. Pratt Post No. 15 American Legion, the 9th Air Force Association and The Thunderbolt Pilots Association. Mr. Hutchinson owned and operated Hutchinson’s Florist in Caribou for many years, as well as the Caribou Steam Laundry. He served as past president of the Maine State Florist Association and was a member of the Society of American Florists, the American Academy of Florists and the Northeastern Florist Association. Mr. Hutchinson was a member of the original FTD special services committee, which established the first worldwide florist computer network and served as chairman and Maine district representative for FTD. Mr. Hutchinson was an active member of the Caribou business community, serving as vice president of the Caribou Development Council for 20 years, member and past vice president of the Caribou Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Caribou Improvement Association, a member of the Caribou Town Council, the Caribou Hotel Group, as well as serving as president of the Caribou Winter Carnival Association. Laurence was a past member of the Caribou Lodge No. 170 AF & AM, The Royal Arch Chapter, and Anah Temple Shrine. He was a 46-year member of the Caribou Rotary Club. An avid golfer, he was a 52-year member of the Aroostook Valley Country Club, the Caribou Country Club, the Edmundston, New Brunswick Country Club and the Ocala Florida Golf and Country Club. He married Ruth Annette Thibodeau Sept. 9, 1943, and she predeceased him in 1985. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Richard Thibodeau of Caribou; three grandchildren, Robyn Thibodeau of Mashpee, Mass., Renee Kurtz of Littleton, Colo., and Cara Michaud of Portland; three great-grandchildren, Zoe Louise and Andre Richard Kurtz and Alexa Ruth Michaud; a sister-in-law, Mildred Madore of Auburn; a brother-in-law, George Dusty of Wrentham, Mass., and Boynton Beach, Fla.; several nieces and nephews. Mr. Hutchinson was predeceased by a brother, the Rev. James Hutchinson; and a sister, Anne Harriet Dusty. Friends may visit with the family 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou. Memorial services will be held in the spring at a time and place to be announced. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Hutchinson may do so through the Caribou Wellness Center or the Maine Veterans’ Home Memorial Fund.
LAURENCE A. HUTCHINSON JR.
