Bernard David Hutchens

Bernard David Hutchens of Orleans and former resident of Wakefield passed away at his home on September 29, 2019 at the age of 74 after his battle with Cardiac Amyloidosis. He was born November 18, 1944 in Cleveland, Ohio; one of three sons of the late Hylie W. Hutchens, Sr. and Helen (Adams) Alexander.

Bernie is survived by his wife of 30 years, Victoria (Clague); his daughter Lori Kent and her husband David; his daughter Tracy Martin; six grandchildren – Brandon, Brittney, Daniel and Christopher Kent, James Hutchens, and Samantha Martin; and his four great-grandchildren – Aubrey Hogan, Kiara and Alanna Hutchens, and Brianna Lawson. He is the brother of Dale Hutchens and his wife, Peggy of Tennessee; and was pre-deceased by his brother Hylie W. “Lee” Hutchens and sister Donna Loard. He is the brother-in-law of Elizabeth and Dennis Jakus of Eastham, and their son, Ian of Burlington, VT. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Bernie was raised in Cleveland, attending and graduating from Collinwood High School in 1962. One of Bernie’s passions in school was being a part of the audio-visual department, where he learned skills in lighting and sound board system operation which he did for school assemblies and productions. In November 1961, before his graduation from high school and with his mother’s blessing and signature he enlisted for the ‘silent service’ - the U.S. Navy Submarine Service, where he served time on the USS Daniel Webster (SSBN 626) as a Sonarman. He served in the Navy until his honorable discharge February 18, 1965; and is a proud veteran for giving his time in service to the country.

After completing his military service, Bernie did various jobs for several years in and around the Cleveland area. He began his professional career as a salesman for Hastings Manufacturing, WIX Filters, and DANA Industries in automotive aftermarket products and distribution. His business travel took him from the Great Lakes region to the Mid-Atlantic states for over 30 years. He settled in Reading and Wakefield when his sales territory included the New England states. After leaving the sales world, he spent ten years as the fleet manager for the Concrete Mixer Division of Aggregate Industries at several of their locations in and around the Boston area. Bernie retired from his career work in 2008 and in 2012 settled to Cape Cod fulltime; but in his mind, he was always looking for that next profession.

Acting. Before his retirement, Bernie had started working with theatre groups in the greater Boston area enjoying camaraderie with local actors in presenting several productions each year in acting roles and in production lighting and sound work. These groups include - The Boston Children’s Theatre, Burlington Players, Theatre To Go, Wakefield Repertory, Winchester Players, Theatre Company of Saugus, Quannapowitt Players, Atlantis Playmakers and The Post Meridian Radio Players. Bernie enjoyed this new career in his life very much. Once retired, Bernie honed his acting skills and performed in principle actor/featured, supporting, and extra/background roles in various productions. The resume is long and distinguished for the boy from Cleveland – taking part in over forty performances from 2009 to 2013. His acting career spanned various roles - and to his credit these are some of the productions; film (Extra Innings; Complete Life of John Hopkins; Rock & Roll Geezers), commercials – infomercials (Vermont Lottery; Twin River Casino; Hood Ice Cream), TV industrial – videos (Long Term Care Insurance Video; Crime Re-enactment - NBC TV; Ford Museum Welcome Video), voiceovers (Charlie & Kiwi’s Adventure; The Year Without a Santa Claus), theatre (A Christmas Carol; Expecting Isabel) and training videos (Wren Ross “Booth Camp”).

Still never content with just one venture, Bernie began working as a substitute disc jockey for WOMR / WFMR in Provincetown. His show format was popular among station listeners, and expanded into a 3-hour, bi-weekly show on Tuesday evenings for three years until 2018. Bernie’s show, “Last Train Home” was a collection of Jazz music that included West Coast, Smooth, Bop, Jazz Blues and whatever caught his attention while creating and editing his shows. He also did weekly features of several ‘Ladies of Jazz’ and a three-song tribute to Frank Sinatra. He was introduced to a local Pop Jazz Blues Artist, Suede and generally featured her music during his show and attended her local Cape concerts. His show always signed off with the playing of the instrumental “Last Train Home”, by the Pat Metheny Group (1987).

Never one to be satisfied with just his home and Cape surroundings, Bernie planned many trips for his and Vicky’s enjoyment – Canada, Great Britain, France, Europe river cruising; cross-country rail trip from Washington State to Massachusetts; and many others. He was adventurous and always looked forward to their next great journey. For several years he also spent time organizing and promoting bus trips for many of his organizations to which he belonged doing foliage trips, outlet shopping, and the like.

Bernie enjoyed his time in the military and was also a history buff. When the Collings Institute Wings of Freedom tour came to Barnstable Airport in Hyannis in September 2015 Bernie had the honor to fly in a World War II vintage B-17 Flying Fortress over Cape Cod. This was a thrilling once-in-a-lifetime experience for him.

Bernie was active in several masonic organizations and appendant bodies. He was raised a Master Mason in Willingboro Lodge No. 298 F&AM in Burlington, New Jersey on June 23, 1973. After moving to Reading, he affiliated with Good Samaritan Lodge, A.F. & A.M. (Reading); and King Cyrus Lodge, A.F. & A.M. (Stoneham) of which he is a Past Master; and Golden Rule Lodge, A.F. & A.M. (Wakefield). He is a Past High Priest of Reading Royal Arch Chapter (Reading); Past District Deputy Grand High Priest and Past Deputy Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of MA; recipient of the Benjamin Hurd, Jr. Meritorious Service Award; and a Past Grand Representative (Wyoming and Ohio). He is a Past Patron of Priscilla Chapter #52, O.E.S. (Reading) and Harmony Chapter #60, O.E.S. (Wakefield); Past Grand Representative (Ohio) and Past Grand Chaplain of the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts Order of the Eastern Star; and served many years on the Grand Chapter Sessions Hall Committee. He is a member of Aleppo Shriners of Wilmington.

Bernie is a member of the Orleans Yacht Club and has enjoyed many events and sociability with many members over the years.

Bernie has been active in parish work at both his churches; Emmanuel Episcopal Church (Wakefield) and The Church of the Holy Spirit (Orleans) as an Acolyte, Lay Reader, and Lay Eucharistic Minister.

A celebration of Bernie’s life is planned for Saturday, October 19, 2019 at The Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans at 11:00 AM. Visiting hours for his family and friends will be at the Nickerson Funeral Home 77 Eldredge Park Way Orleans, MA 02653 on Friday, October 18, 2019 from 4 PM to 8 pm. A Masonic Funeral Service will be conducted at 7 PM; followed by a Flag Service by an armed forces honor guard.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent in Bernie’s memory to: Emmanuel Episcopal Church 5 Bryant Street Wakefield, MA 01880; or to The Church of the Holy Spirit 204 Monument Road Orleans, MA 02653.