Francis T. "Joe" Hutchinson

On September 17, 2021, Francis “Joe” Hutchinson, of Gloucester City, passed away at the age of 71. He was surrounded by those that truly loved him. He will be remembered as a true, proud American and United States Marine.

Joe was proud to have served in the United States Marine Corps, 1967-1970. He was sent to Vietnam in 1968, fighting in the battle of Khe Sanh, surrounded by the enemy at Rock Pile in combat at Quang Tri. No matter how he was treated when he came home from the war, he still loved his country and the people in it. He always saw so much beauty in America.

Joe loved nature walks, jogging, kayaking, and hiking through many places from California all the way to New Jersey. He enjoyed working out at the gym or exercising almost anywhere. Even in ill health, he tried to get to the gym, even if it was for five minutes. His cure-all for all his family and friends was; you got a headache - go to the gym, you’re depressed - go to the gym, join the military - go to the gym.

That is exactly what he did when Steven “Marine Dawg” Myers and Keith “Navy Dawg” Walens joined the military, he made sure they went to the gym and worked out before boot camp. Joe worked many years at naval shipyards: Mare Island, Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Pensacola, Philadelphia, and many more across the country. If there was a signup sheet to go out of state to work short-term at a Naval Ship Yard, he was the first to sign up. He had a strong work ethic and encouraged people to work hard.

Joe loved the USA and loved getting to know people. No matter where he went he always talked to strangers and by the time he left, he could tell you all about that person as if he knew them all his life. Many of those strangers became close friends.

Joe is survived by his wife Carole, his sons; Nicholas and Michael. Parents: Joseph & Gloria Hutchinson (nee Fiocca), sister: Phyllis Kitchie Cipolone & her late husband Joe, brother: (late) Michael Hutchinson & his wife Donna, his stepchildren: Mindy (Ryan) Knight, Andrew (Renee) Myers, Steven “Marine-Dawg” Myers, Andrea “VA Girl” Myers (Mike McGuigan), Keith “Navy-Dawg” Walens, Son-In-Law Edmund Walens and late Arlene Walens, Sister-In-Law Cheryl (Ron) Walens-Hill, Brother-In-Law Edmund (Kim) Walens, his step grandchildren: Elias, Michael, Addy, Ryan and Brayden. Nieces: Marci, Kimberly, Dana, great niece: Miranda, great nephews Brandon and Jules, his beloved therapy cats: Meow, and Snowball (Snow White). Predeceased by many friends and vietnam buddies that he now gets to reunite with in All God’s glory. Survived by friends Carmen and Richard Cipolone, Mike Settar, Steve Harris and Andy Udris, Keven Flinn, Tommy Mc, Mike Murphy, Vinny Pilla, Al Doyle, Randy and John Chiodi and many more friends to remember.

In Joe’s words; “Be Kind, plant a tree, feed an animal, clean up your neighborhood, help a friend, become a friend, always work hard, STAY POSITIVE, TIGHTEN IT UP! OOH-RAH!! SEMPER FI”

As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Feral Society of Gloucester City, Account #5820, TD Bank 101 S. Broadway, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Please write Francis Hutchinson in the memo #crerancelebration #heartfelt