Ernest Hutchins

ALBURGH - Ernest Stewart Hutchins, age 87, passed away on Monday, October 9th, 2023 at the UVM Medical Center in Burlington with his family by his side.

Ernest was born on April 6, 1936, to the late Aaron A. Hutchins and Cora (Aubin) Hutchins. He was the youngest of four children and spent his early years working on the family farm in Alburgh, VT. In middle school, he met his true love, Bernice Bohannon. On September 10, 1955, they were married and soon after they had their first child, Debbie. A few years later Shawn was born, followed by Judi, then Amy, and Ann completed their family. Their amazing love survived over 70 years of ups and some pretty hard downs.

Ernest went to work for the State of VT Department of Transportation, District 8, and retired after more than 30 years of service. Even after retirement Ernest did not stop working, he loved cutting wood even into his 80's and only stopped because his legs no longer cooperated. Ernest could be found puttering around his garage, or even in the barn.

Ernest had many titles: husband, dad, papa, pappy, grampy, uncle, Ernie and Hutch. Ernest is survived by his wife, Bernice; children, Amy Cobb and her husband Jeff, and Ann Colby and her husband Jason, all of Alburgh; son-in-law, Steve Boivin; grandchildren, Jenifer Hardy and her husband Tim, Rebecca O'Neill and her husband Mark, Derek Stone, Hannah, Isaiah and Thomas Cobb, and Aaron and his Girlfriend Megan, and Matthew Colby; six great grandchildren, Jenelle and Colton Hardy, Chelsea Fleury and her husband Devon Thomas, Keylee and Lily Anne O'Neill, and Oaklyn Cobb; two great-great grandchildren, Emmalyn and Jackson; and many nieces and nephews. He instilled values and showed love to his family.

Ernest was predeceased by three of his children, Shawn Hutchins in 2016, Judi Boivin in 2019, and Deborah Fleury in 2022, and his son-in-law John Fleury in 2023. These losses were difficult on Ernest, but he kept going and made sure the rest of the family continued on. He was also predeceased by his siblings and their spouses, Beatrice Roy sand her husband Bernie, Henry Hutchins and his wife Jean, and Rose Hansen and her husband Herman.

Family and friends are invited to Ernest's life celebration events to include visitation on Thursday, October 26th from 5-7:00PM with a memorial service following at 7:00PM at the Goss Life Celebration Home, 89 Grand Ave., Swanton, VT 05488.

Donations in Ernest's memory may be made to the Alburgh Fire Department, 60 Firehouse Road, Alburgh, VT 05440.

Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com