Franklyn Donald Hutchings, known to his friends and relatives as Donald or “Hutch,” passed away on September 4th, at The Village at South Farms Assisted Living and Memory Care facility at the age of 94. Born on January 7th, 1931, to Franklyn H. Hutchings and Clara Elizabeth Roberts, “Hutch” was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, and of Bryant College. His career in the accounting and insurance world saw him working at Raymond Engineering, Aetna Life and Casualty Company, and for the State of Connecticut. “Hutch” was a Korean War Air Force Veteran, and during his retirement years he enjoyed welcoming home service men and women as part of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. He also visited local schools where he spoke about his Korean War experience and being a proud Air Force veteran. Most notably, he and his wife Marian spent many years working for the benefit of those born with Down Syndrome and other intellectual challenges. As part of a core group of families, he helped to build the Middlesex Association for Retarded Children, later renamed the Middlesex Association for Retarded Citizens (MARC) and known today as ARC, where he served on the Board of Directors as the organization’s treasurer for many years; additionally, he was the treasurer for the state organization ARC Connecticut. “Hutch” also helped with coordinating the Middlesex Youth Association for Retarded Citizens during the early 1970s, a program sponsored by Xavier High School and Brother Robert Houlihan, CFX, and he also was involved with the Special Olympics during its early years. “Hutch’s” accounting skills and mindfulness were called upon by several organizations where he found himself treasurer of the group, including Trinity Episcopal Parish in Portland. “Hutch” was an avid reader of World War II military history and biographies. He loved his dogs, keeping track of the stock market, socializing with friends at church and in downtown Portland, and vacationing in Chatham on Cape Cod with his wife Marian and his sister-in-law, Dorothy O’Rourke. He was married to Marian for 64 years and is survived by a son, Dr. Robert Hutchings of Jacksonville, Florida, and some nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Marian McGuinness Hutchings, a son Charles Hutchings, and a brother Richard E. Hutchings of Canton. A private graveside service and burial will take place in Pine Grove Cemetery Middletown. Memorial donations may be sent to MARC Community Resources 25 Industrial Park Road Middletown, CT. 06457or to Enhabit Home Health and Hospice 2080 Silas Deane Highway Suite 204A, Rocky Hill, CT. 06067.
The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland, is in charge of arrangements.
Marion (Bordash) Gravel
January 11, 1931 - September 1, 2025
Marion Gravel passed away peacefully on Monday, September 1st, at the age of 94, with her loving family by her side.
Born in Bridgeport, CT to Daniel and Hazel (Mann) Bordash, Marion grew up in Meriden, Connecticut, where she played soccer and was a cheerleader at Meriden High School. Marion taught CCD (catechism) for many years, and became well versed in Bible study. Marion's faith was subtle but ever present. She loved ballroom dancing, which is where she met her husband George Henry Gravel.
Marion dreamed big, and had aspirations to sing professionally and/or design costumes for broadway. She did a beautiful recording of Ave Maria (with her sister Shirley accompanying her on the piano), but later discovered that stage fright was a powerful foe. While Marion did not design costumes for broadway, she was known for creating very memorable costumes for Halloween parties, sewed a wedding dress for her niece (she sang at her wedding too), and sewed an emergency native american indian dancer costume for a production of Heritage 1776 in Wallingford, CT, where she also sang a beautiful solo of Amazing Grace to a packed crowd. She dreamed big.
As a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and caring friend, Marion was known to organize epic Christmas and Thanksgiving parties for family and host Church & Franco American picnics at her home. She loved to cook, decorate, and bring people together. Her niece Wendy and a handful of neighborhood children knew Marion's home as their home away from home. Neighbors visited daily, no knocking needed, they were always welcome.
Marion worked as a secretary in many large organizations over the years. She started working for Pratt & Whitney, became a legal secretary for a busy attorney office in Meriden,and retired at age 65 from the Meriden Court House. Everything she did, she did well. She retired early to take care of her grandchildren, Michele and Justin Patton. Her dedication to them has most definitely left a strong and lasting positive influence on their lives.
Traveling, gardening, bird watching, and creating artwork in multiple mediums was Marion's passion later in life. Marion's home was known for impossibly beautiful gardens everywhere your eye could see. She developed a love for fine art, and has produced some amazing masterpieces (which are adorning the walls in many people's homes today). A trip to France with her sisters and a group of artistic friends was a highlight of her travel experiences, as were several journeys to Sweden, Denmark, and Norway with her sisters Gloria and Shirley. Hawaii was another favorite place for Marion. Backgammon tournament participation led her to Las Vegas, Nevada and Acapulco, Mexico with her husband George Henry. Marion loved adventure, horseback riding in West Virginia, and summer's at Coral Sands Beach in Westbrook, CT with her mother, sisters, nieces and nephews.
Marion is survived by her daughter Pamela and her husband Richard, her granddaughter Michele, her grandson Justin, her great granddaughter Kristina and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband George, her sister Shirley, and her sister Gloria.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 19th at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Portland, CT. A reception will immediately follow the Mass in the church hall. All are welcome.
Life well lived Marion, rest in peace.
The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland, is in charge of arrangements.