Gordon Hutchinson (21 May 1932 - 16 Jan 2018)

In loving memory of Gordon Hutchinson who sadly passed away on 16th January 2018.

Where to start? Many happy memories of dad, amateur (and prolific) poet, a fascination for archaeology and geology, a passion for cacti, carnivorous plants and gardening. Most of all though was his love for my mother, Joan. They married in 1953 and I came along 5 years later.

He had an engineering background having served his apprenticeship with Torr and Harrison as a motor engineer, and then went on to work at Sandars maltings and finally the CEGB at Cottam power station.

This story could have read – Gordon Hutchinson 1932 -1972, but thanks to his determination, his amazing medical team and his never ending love for Joan, he survived a devastating boiler explosion at Cottam power station on 20th November 1972. He spent 6 months in all but one hospital in Sheffield, the exclusion being Jessops, the then women & children’s hospital, before returning home to his family, Joan, Amanda and Cleo, the first in a line of boxer dogs.

As a family we had so many interests – holidays spent fossiling at Whitby, and mum feeding shillings into the meter at the ‘digs’, so that dad and I could warm up after a swim at the outdoor pool there. Fossiling was something he would do later with his grandchildren, Callum and Fiona. (tappa, tappa stones Grandad).

A keen amateur archaeologist he also discovered and excavated an extensive area of Roman pottery kilns at Knaith with his brother in law, Bert. After that he went on to excavate medieval burials at Knaith Park – our scullery live up to it’s name until mum and I watched a horror story on TV and she insisted they be given a proper burial.

A general interest in engineering resulted in lots of wrought iron work, a collection of working model steam engines and a series of infuriating metal puzzles (much to the delight of everyone who called round).

Dad was also very green fingered, designing a lovely garden for Joan’s summer ‘dog hangings’ (as he called all her groups & committees). He grew amazing veg for his family, and attempted giant pumpkins most years, also planting up a small area with his grandchildren and growing spectacular cacti and carnivorous plants.

The greatest love of his life was Joan, absolutely devoted to one another. After she died in 1996 he bravely continued on without her physically by his side for almost 22 years.

I am sad that dad is no longer here for us, he loved his grandchildren very much, I will always miss him. But after far too many years apart, he and my mum are together again, exactly where they should be.

Mum had her painting & crafts, dad his garden and poems, but most of all, they had each other.

Give mum a big hug from me when you see her dad xxxx