Thomas E. Hutchins, Jr.

Thomas E. Hutchins, Jr., widely known since high school as “Fuzzy”, passed peacefully on July 29, with his beloved wife, Mary, at his side, after a 2+ year battle with esophageal cancer.  He was the son of the late Thomas E. Hutchins, Sr. and Lena (Guzzi) Hutchins, and brother of Richard (Joyce) Hutchins. Preceded in death by his infant sister Celeste, and brother John (Janet) Hutchins.  Proud uncle of Christina (Frank) Brancato, Maria Hutchins, and Rachel (Patrick) Mifsud. Great-Uncle to Christopher Brancato, Sam Brancato, Julian Mifsud, Stella Mifsud. Godfather to Maria Hutchins and T.J. Rose.

Tom graduated Carrick High School in 1964.  He soon served in the Army, was sent to Vietnam combat, and earned two Purple Hearts.  He married Mary Helen Goetz on October 16, 1972. Over these decades, they have had a happy variety of travel adventures, concert attendance, and parenting of a dozen or so rescue cats; adored, one and all!  He especially loved Oregon, where dear friends moved, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

“Fuzzy” was known as an enthusiastic photographer, an avid runner (including several marathons), and an excellent amateur chef.  Many people have enjoyed “Fuzzy’s Famous Meatballs” and spaghetti dinners, among other treats. But not the meal in his famous quip: “Give me a bowl of turtle soup, and make it snappy”!  He may have been most proud of his career as Santa Claus to various friends, and for his sister-in-law Joyce’s School of Dance.

Services are private at Tom’s request, and arrangements handled by Frank F. DeBor Funeral Home, of Brookline.  A Celebration of Life service is planned for Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Brentwood VFW.  In lieu of floral tributes, we suggest memorial contributions to Bridges Hospice, 4130 Monroeville Boulevard, Monroeville, PA  15146; or to Animal Friends, 562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA  15237.

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