Ralph D. Hutchinson, Jr., 76 of Hooksett passed away Friday, April 22, 2016 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack after a lengthy illness. He was born in Manchester on September 10, 1939, the son of Ralph D. Hutchinson Sr. and Dorothy (Keane) Hutchinson.
Raised in Manchester, Ralph was a graduate of Central High School, Brewster Academy and the University of New Hampshire. He was a former teacher in the Windham, NH school system and later went on to a successful career as a self- employed painting and wallpapering contractor. For many years he lived in the Lake Winnipesaukee area until returning to Hooksett 13 years ago when his wife, Joanne (Gravas) Hutchinson became ill. She passed away on March 20, 2004.
Ralph loved to play cribbage and bridge and enjoyed candy making and picking blueberries at this favorite spot on Piper Ridge. Some of his best-loved moments were spent at the annual gatherings with all of his daughters and grandchildren at Lake Ontario, New York. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed regularly watching a variety of sports including golf, soccer, football and, baseball, often lamenting the late season decline of his Fenway favorite. Many spare hours were spent volunteering his time at the Hooksett Community Food Pantry along with Anne Riel.
Family members include three daughters, Lori A. Keefe of Manchester, Lisa J. Winslow and her husband Scott of Bedford and Lynn T. Stelling and her husband Craig of Jim Thorpe, PA; seven grandchildren, Emily Keefe, Molly Keefe, Jacob Winslow, Samuel Winslow, Connor Winslow, Erik Stelling and Todd Stelling; a sister, Nancy Baradziej and her husband Leonard of Manchester; his special companion of 8 years, Anne Riel; several nieces and nephews.
Per his request, his body was donated to Dartmouth Medical School. A Celebration of His Life will be held in the J. N. Boufford & Sons Funeral Home, 110 Bridge St., Manchester on Saturday, April 30th from 2:30 – 4:30 PM with a ceremony to begin at 4:30 pm. Pastor Peter Boehringer of the Gethsemane Lutheran Church will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Community Hospice House, 210 Naticook Rd., Merrimack, NH 03054. His family extends their gratitude to the staff of Community Hospice House and Home Care and Hospice as well as the Visiting Angels.