He was a Bath native through and through despite residing in Brunswick. The boy got taken out of Bath, but you couldn’t take Bath out of the boy. Born in Bath on November 25, 1941, to “Barney” and Theresa Pecci Dutton, he attended Bath schools and always joked he could claim an affiliation with multiple graduating classes.
On September 27, 1968, he married Sharon Weed. Their marriage was a typical Bath Brunswick native relationship as they met at Fat Boys. It was many years later his kids learned that when they went to Fat Boys’s to eat that they were actually parked on the “Bath” side of the parking lot.
He worked at Chadwick BaRoss in Westbrook, starting as a mechanic in the field and working his way up to Service Manager. After 14 years, he left to start his own business repairing trucks and heavy equipment. Being self employed was great for his social life, in between his regular work at T& R and Bath Fire Department he would meander his way through Bath visiting his family and friends. He was a morning fixture at Bath’s local restaurants after retiring from Dead River, meeting his many old friends and making new ones.
His extensive knowledge of all things mechanical and willingness to share both his knowledge and opinions were legendary. When he discovered the Internet his knowledge grew because you can Google anything. He spent many hours researching his various medical issues, so he could discuss them with his doctors on their level.
He collected antique oil lamps and repaired watches with the Balzer family in Freeport. He was a member of the Bath Fire Department Box 19 Club. He had the pleasure of helping restore the 1941 Mack fire engine. That same truck was stationed next door to his childhood home on Shepherd Street. He along with his brother Bill and friend Carl Webster had just completed the two-year restoration on the engine of the 1952 Mack fire truck.
He leaves behind his wife Sharon of Brunswick, a daughter and son-in-law Darcy Dutton and Jim Morgan of Dresden. a daughter and son-in-law Carey and Dave Douglass of Topsham, and two grandsons Maxwell and Grady Douglass. He is also survived by his brother Bill Dutton of West Bath, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
A memorial gathering will be held at Kennebec Tavern in Bath on Saturday, July 13th at 3 p.m. for those wishing to express their condolences and share their stories. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Coastal Humane Society.
To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
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