Vernon E. Hutchins, 83, passed away at Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta on July 12, 2017 after a long struggle with declining health. He had been under hospice care for a few weeks.

He was born on January 17, 1934, son of Myron and Marguerite Hutchins of Waldoboro. He graduated from Waldoboro High in 1952 and attended the University of Maine in Orono for one year before enlisting in the Navy during the Korean War.

Vernon married the former Carolyn Vannah of Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1954.

His Navy career started in Washington, D.C. where he attended Fleet Training School. He served on submarine tenders in West Key, Florida, Charleston, South Carolina and Norfolk, Virginia. In Newport, Rhode Island he taught battery alignment and gun fire support at the Fleet Training Center. In Groton, Connecticut he was an instructor at the Submarine Attack Center, where he retired after serving 20 years as a Chief Fire Control Technician. He worked at Sears, Roebuck in New London, Connecticut in the building-supply department and for John Hancock Insurance Company before moving back to Maine in 1983 and he then built his home on Damariscotta Lake. Before retiring completely he drove a school bus for the Town of Jefferson for a few years.

He was a long time member of the Orff’s Corner Community Church, where he served as a Trustee and usher with his brother Raymond for many years. He was also a member of the American Legion in Waldoboro, the Fleet Reserve Association and the Jefferson Historical Society.

He was predeceased by his parents, Myron and Marguerite Hutchins and his brother Raymond Hutchins.

Vernon is survived by his wife of 62 year, his son Gary V. Hutchins and wife Sheila of Salem, CT, his daughter Marcia Vertefeuille of Frankfort, ME, grandson Justin Vertefeuille of Belfast, ME; granddaughters Andrea Paxton and husband Bill of Quaker Hill, CT, Shelly Hutchins and partner Robert Richman and Ashley Drago and husband Russell; also 4 great-grandchildren, Hannah, Ethan, Ryan and Jack, also his brother Harold Hutchins and wife Cindy of Waldoboro, ME and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at the Orff’s Corner Community Church on Route 32 in Waldoboro, on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 11:00 A.M., Reverend Bob Bellows officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vernon’s memory to the Orff’s Corner Community Church, P.O. Box 1021, Waldoboro, ME 04572, the Orff’s Corner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 1000, Jefferson, ME 04348 or the Miles & St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice at Maine Health, 40 Belvedere Road, Damariscotta, ME 04543.

Hall's of Waldoboro has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences to the family please visit www.hallfuneralhomes.com.