Kenneth “Sonny” Hutchins

KENNEBUNKPORT – Kenneth “Sonny” Hutchins, 96, of Wildes District, a longtime well-respected businessman, passed away Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, at St. Andre’s Health Care in Biddeford following a brief illness with his loving family by his side.

Sonny was born Oct. 1, 1928, in Biddeford, the son of Kenneth S. and Elizabeth Malt Hutchins. He lived in the same house that he grew up in except for the two years that he was in the U.S. Army. He was in the last class to graduate from the former Kennebunkport High School in 1948.

Sonny served in the U.S. Army 1951-1953. After briefly working lobstering, he bought a retail and wholesale lobster business from his uncle. Albert Hutchins. and opened Port Lobster Co. in 1953. It was a family business and with the help of his daughter and sons, he operated Port Lobster for 63 years, before selling the business in 2016. Sonny continued working in his “retirement” and could often be seen making deliveries around Southern Maine in his favorite Port Lobster van. For 60-plus years he would talk to his fellow lobster dealer and best friend, Billy Bayley over at Bayley’s Lobster Pound in Pine Point twice a day. In the morning, they would talk about what they heard from other lobster dealers up the coast, what the price was, what the catch was like and, at the end of the day they would talk about how business was that day. They were best friends and loved working together through the years.

Even after Sonny was no longer able to work, he was still interested in the lobster business. He would always ask his daughter, Kathy, “Any business today?” He would ask his son, Peter, as well as his son, Glen, or his grandson, Alex, who is a lobsterman in Boothbay, “How was the catch,” “What’s the boat price,” “Are you on a split price,” and “Are you getting any shedders?” Throughout the years, Sonny had many employees who often stopped by to visit and reminisce about their time at Port Lobster and what was currently going on in their lives.

Returning home to Kennebunkport from the Army, he met and married Janice MacIntyre in October of 1954. They enjoyed a 70-year marriage together. They had four children. He enjoyed skiing, watching his sons play hockey, watching any sports on T.V., especially the Boston Bruins and golf. For years, Sonny would be up bright and early every morning to meet his many “breakfast” friends. They would “solve” the latest town and world problems, catch up on each other’s family and the latest town gossip.

Sonny joined the Wildwood Volunteer Fire Co. during the ’47 fire. He was a member for 70-plus years. He was second assistant 1950 and 1959. He was the longest serving chief from 1960-1976. After stepping down, he still responded to emergencies and was always willing to mentor the younger generation of fire fighters.

Sonny was a 60-plus year member of Arundel Lodge #76, AF & AM, Scottish Rite, Valley of Portland and Kora Shrine in Lewiston. One of his proudest moments was when his sons joined the Arundel Lodge.

He was active in the Maine Lobster Dealers Association for years.

He loved playing golf at Cape Arundel Golf Course. When he was younger, he caddied at Cape Arundel and that was the beginning of his love for the game of golf. For years, his friend Ken Raynor would pick him up at 12:45 p.m. for a 1 o’clock tee time. He made many lifelong friends there and served on the board of directors for many years.

He was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He always put his family first and made sure everyone was taken care of. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Janice, of Kennebunkport; his daughter, Kathleen Anuszewski (Thomas) of Kennebunkport, his son, Glen Hutchins (Molly) of Southport, his son, Timothy Hutchins (Mary) of Lee, and his son, Peter Hutchins (Alexandra) of Kennebunk; his cousin, Josephine Putnam of Kennebunkport; his four grandchildren; and one great-grandson; and a special friend, Lynne Longworth, who would visit him every day at 5 o’clock to make sure he was doing his exercises and then they’d have Cheetos and a beer.

The family would like say thank you to the doctors and nurses at York Hospital and the staff at St. Andre’s for their care and support, and also to Dr. Michael Festino for his years of providing comforting care.

A time of visitation will be held Tuesday, March 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk. A Masonic memorial service led by members of Arundel Lodge #76 will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

A spring graveside service with Military Honors will be announced by Bibber Memorial Chapel.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Sonny’s Book of Memories Page at http://www.bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions

may be made to:

Community Outreach Services

P.O. Box 1175

Kennebunk, ME 04043 or:

Animal Welfare Society

P.O. Box 43

West Kennebunk, ME 04094 or:

Kennebunkport Fire Department

P.O. Box 505

Kennebunkport, ME 04046