Steven Robert Hutchings, a beloved educator, devoted family man, and passionate outdoorsman, passed away on May 9, 2026, at the age of 75.

Early Life and Education

Born on March 6, 1951, to the late Glendon Moore Hutchings and Amy Ellen Christensen, Steve grew up in Marblehead, Massachusetts. His childhood was the stuff of classic New England lore. Alongside his brothers—Peter, David, and Paul—and his core group of buddies (Paul, Bill, Vaughn, and Gary), Steve filled his youth with endless adventures. They engaged in epic apple fights, frequented the Green Street playground, and explored the "woods" beyond. Steve spent countless hours rowing dories around the harbor and Brown’s Island, putting a serious dent in the local flounder population. When he wasn't on the water, he was bicycling to the Abbotts Library, returning with stacks of books that he devoured from cover to cover.

A proud 1969 graduate of Marblehead High School, Steve followed his love for the ocean to UMass Dartmouth, where he earned a master’s degree in marine biology.

A Lifelong Educator

Steve dedicated nearly 50 years of his life to shaping young minds across the state of Maine. A natural teacher, he brought his passion for science and nature into classrooms at Deer Isle, Lincolnville Central, Belfast High School, Brewer High School, and Medomak Valley High School. Generations of students will remember him not just as a teacher, but as a mentor who truly cared about their growth and understanding of the world.

A Beautiful Love Story

In the mid 1990’s, Steve’s life changed forever when he and Kathleen Chittick Darres started dating. Following a humorous and legendary "BB gun incident," Steve officially moved into Kath’s home on the Passy River in the fall of 1994. The two were married on May 15, 1995, beginning a beautiful 31-year marriage filled with laughter, love, and shared passions.

A Legacy of Passions and Family

Steve was a man of boundless curiosity and he was a founding and lifelong member of the famed “Men’s Kouch”. His zest for life never stopped, whether he was diving into art, history, and deep research, or scouring flea markets, yard sales, and antiquing for hidden treasures. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and rockhound who loved mining for gems and artifacts, rowing, and island hopping. He was an adventurist and led several water and land expeditions on many of the Men’s Kouch spring, fall, and winter trips. Above all, Steve was an incredibly proud family man. He took immense pride in passing down his knowledge, teaching his step son Maurice “Mo” and step daughter Armindy and later his grandchildren, the fine arts of duck hunting, lobstering, rowing, and fishing for elvers, and suckers.

Survivors

Steve is predeceased by his parents as well as his brothers Peter, David, and Paul. However, Steve’s legacy lives on through his beloved wife, Kathleen Hutchings; his step children, Maurice "Mo" Darres and Armindy McFadden; his cherished grandchildren, Joseph McFadden, Ryleigh (McFadden) Duplessis, and Lelia Darres; and his precious great-granddaughter, Ainsley Duplessis as well as many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

Steve lived life fully, with an open mind and an adventurous heart. He will be deeply missed by his family, his former students, and the many Maine communities he impacted throughout his extraordinary life.