Royce L. Hutchinson

LANCASTER - Royce L. Hutchinson, 65, died Tuesday afternoon October 20, 2015 at Weeks Medical Center, Lancaster, after a long illness. Mr. Hutchinson was a lifetime resident of Lancaster, born there on September 23, 1950 the son of Leon and Marjorie (Baker) Hutchinson. In 1969 he graduated from White Mountain Regional High School and went on to serve with the US Army in Vietnam. Royce dedicated his life to law enforcement. For 20 years he was on the Lancaster Police Department retiring there as Lieutenant. He then worked for a time as a bailiff in the Lancaster and Colebrook court systems before dedicating 19 years with the Coos County Sheriff's Department. He also worked as a dress man for Bailey Funeral Home, a driver for Murray Vashaw (for Brooks Chevrolet) and in high school he worked at the IGA store in Lancaster. He enjoyed many activities including hunting, fishing, photography and holiday decorating but his greatest enjoyment was cooking. In Vietnam he cooked for his fellow soldiers and back home he has always enjoyed cooking and hosting family gatherings. Memberships included the John W. Weeks VFW Post #3041 of Lancaster and the American Legion Post #17 of Groveton. Family members include his wife of 35 years Renee (Fortin) Hutchinson (also know by Royce as "Little Hitler"); 5 sisters Patricia Zaengle of Albrightsville, PA, Helen Kelley of North Stratford, Cheryl Bougie of Lancaster, Barbara Hopps of Lancaster, Diane White of Lancaster; aunts and uncles, Helen Dexter of Connecticut, L. James Baker of Pennsylvania, Mervyn Baker of Florida, Sylvia Corbett of Maine, Judith Demers of New Hampshire and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces and a great-great nephew. Visiting hours will be held Friday afternoon and evening October 23, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster. A funeral service will be held Saturday morning at 9:00 AM at the Christ United Methodist Church in Lancaster. Reverend Richard Boyden, pastor will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in Summer Street Cemetery, Lancaster. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to Lancaster Fire Department Assn., 25 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584

Royce L. Hutchinson

September 23, 1950 - October 20, 2015