Maurice A. Dutcher

Maurice A. Dutcher

AVON — Maurice A. Dutcher, 90, of Avon, beloved husband for 61 years to the late Ruth (Stoddard) Dutcher passed away Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, at his home.

Born in Winsted, son of the late Maurice and Angeline (Zucco) Dutcher, he was raised in Norfolk where he attended Norfolk Center School, Gilbert School in Winsted, and later Oliver Wolcott Technical School. He served in the US Navy with the Seabees during the Korean War for two years. After his honorable discharge, he moved to Avon where he was employed by Avon Plumbing & Heating where he worked for 44 years, retiring as Vice President.

He was a member of the Avon Volunteer Fire Department for 60 years where he served as Captain, Corporation President, and on three Fire House building committees and three fire truck purchase committees. He was a long-time member of Prince Thomas of Savoy Society and a 50 year-member of the Avon Lion’s Club. He was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award, the highest form of recognition for members of the Farmington Valley Men’s Club. Dutch was an avid golfer, loved camping with his family, hunting, and fishing.

He is survived by his children, Robert Dutcher of Simsbury, John Dutcher and his wife Lynn of Torrington, and Barbara Ann Bouton and her husband William of Sierra Vista, Arizona; his sister Yvonne Connor of The Villages, Florida; 5 grandchildren, Ross J. Dutcher, Christine E. Bouton and her significant other, Andy Miller, Stephany A. Bouton and her significant other Troy Miller, Kyle W. Dutcher, and Jessica L. Dutcher; 4 great-grandchildren, Emily and Colton Miller, and Brooke and Mackenna Bouton; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be private in April with Fire Company Honors with burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Avon. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Avon Volunteer Fire Department, 25 Darling Drive, Avon, CT 06001 or PTS Men’s & Women’s Scholarship Funds, 32 Old Farms Road, Avon, 06001. For condolences, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com

Latest News

Haystack Festival brings literary minds to Norfolk

The Great Room at Norfolk Library filled to capacity for the Haystack Festival.

Jennifer Almquist

Just after noon on Sunday, Oct. 6, attendees of Norfolk Foundation’s Haystack Festival spilled out of the red Shingle Style Norfolk Library into brilliant October sunshine, emerging from the final book talk of the weekend (excepting an event for young readers later in the day). The talk, which was a conversation between horse experts journalist Sarah Maslin Nir and author David Chaffetz, was rife with equine puns and startling facts. The tongue-in-cheek use of the word “cavalier” brought laughs from the engaged audience, while Nir disclosed that horses eat for a full 16 hours a day.

The talk brought levity and humor to the festival’s conclusion, while also diving into the serious history of the relationship between society and horses. Chaffetz explained horses were fundamental in the formation of large empires: “We don’t see empires until horses became fundamental to the political state.” Nir elaborated that the “wild” horses in North America are not native, but feral horses descended from animals brought by Spanish imperialists. “No tea grows in England,” she explained, “it is the result of empire – and so are horses.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Project SAGE's solemn vigil

"The Red Sand Project" is intended to draw attention to often overlooked domestic violence issues in the Northwest Corner.

Natalia Zukerman

To mark the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Project SAGE held its annual community vigil on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Community Field in Lakeville. Project SAGE is a community-focused organization dedicated to supporting, advocating, guiding and educating victims of relationship violence through a range of services and outreach programs.

A large group of people gathered quietly in the center of the field where they were handed packets of red sand. Red Sand Project, created by artist and activist Molly Gochman, is a participatory artwork that uses sidewalk interventions and earthwork installations to encourage people to reflect, connect, and take action against the vulnerabilities that contribute to human trafficking, modern slavery, and exploitation.

Keep ReadingShow less