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2 tree(s) planted in memory of Melford Huctwith
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Ian Campbell posted a condolence
Sunday, April 10, 2022
I am so saddened by the loss of Mr Huctwith who taught me so much about the importance of history. I enjoyed his teachings in his classes. He was such a great human being and supporter of the Dorchester community. He raised a group of great kids who I admired as well. Seeing Chris and Heather grow up into that image of their father as they are today raising their families. My heart goes to you and the family. His spirit lives in us all.
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James Tennant planted a tree in memory of Melford Huctwith
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
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My sincere sympathy, Mel was a great gentleman. I never got to teach with him, but his colleagues always told me he was great. All the best. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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John Atkinson pledged to donate to Belmont-Aylmer-Dorchester Girl's Hockey Association
Saturday, October 24, 2020
In memory of Mel Huctwith.
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Van Weert Ted posted a condolence
Thursday, October 22, 2020
So sorry to hear about Mel’s passing. He was a great mentor and friend.
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Paul Augustine posted a condolence
Thursday, October 22, 2020
All of hockey are very saddened with this loss. See Mel at the rinks many a time.
Paul Augustine,
2012 Sarnia-Lambton Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
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Glen Van Valkenburg posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Shirley, Craig, Chris, Heather and families, we are all sad to hear this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you at this time. Even through the distance of the last number of years we have wonderful memories of Mel and all of you. Take care and may the memories live on.
The Van Valkenburg's
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Mike Arts posted a condolence
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
My sincerest condolences to you Shirley and to the rest of the Huctwith family. I was very fortunate to get to know Mel through refereeing hockey in the London area. Mel was an amazing student of the game and an even better mentor and teacher. He mixed that quick wit and warm smile into all of his interactions with us. He made us better referees with his thoughtful contemplation of the game. Mel will be missed by all who knew him. Take care, Mike Arts
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Roxanne Carruthers posted a condolence
Monday, October 19, 2020
My family was fortunate enough to have Mel and Shirley as neighbours when we were in high school in Strathroy. I'm so very sorry to hear of Mel's passing and my prayers go out to Shirley and the kids.
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Diane Herniman lit a candle
Monday, October 19, 2020
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Chuck and Diane Herniman:
Our condolences, Shirley, to you and your family. I have always had the greatest admiration for Mel and he was the best department head that I have ever had. He cared about his students and the members of his department. The students and I learned a lot from him about the importance of history, organization, essay writing, how to treat each other, and how to give back to the school and to the community.
We missed his leadership and dedication when he retired but he certainly was looking forward to spending more time with you and your family.
Hugs,
Diane
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Joan Hunter posted a condolence
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Mr. H always had a twinkle in his eye but did not suffer fools gladly. To whit:
"At times I feel that you are giving me the patented Hunter 'silent treatment'
- so much ability."
Grade 12, Man in Society, Progress Report November 1974, Mark: 75
"It concerns me that your experience is not engaging you the way I had hoped."
Grade 12, Man in Society, Progress Report April 1974, Mark: 80
I did take lessons from that, and am forever grateful.
Joan Hunter
Vancouver Island
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Ryan Jarvis pledged to donate to Belmont-Aylmer-Dorchester Girl's Hockey Association
Sunday, October 18, 2020
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Paul Rabbets posted a condolence
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Shirley and family
So sorry to read of Mel's passing. There are not many people in one's life that leave an impression on someone else's life but Mel certainly had an impact on me. He taught me about officiating sports and how to teach others to officiate as well. More importantly he taught me how to teach. Mel should have been a professor at Althouse College.
He had a special gift of taking a difficult concept and explaining it in terms that even a layman could understand. I do not know where he got that gift but it was a gift. In later years, it was always a special time for me to chat with him at the Aylmer arena.He always had an insight into the art of officiating. I can remember telling him that many of his ideas were now incorporated into the OMHA officials' manual. He responded by saying,"sometimes when you think that you are winning the race you have just been lapped."
My thoughts and prayers go out to you, Shirley, and your family
Paul Rabbets
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Carol Wilkins posted a condolence
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Shirley and family...
Extending our sincere sympathy on the passing of Mel..
Carol and Ralph Wilkins
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Fred & Shirley Wood posted a condolence
Saturday, October 17, 2020
Shirley and family ....
Thinking of you at this sad and difficult time and extend our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to all.
Fred & Shirley
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Dr. Barbara Crisp posted a condolence
Saturday, October 17, 2020
My heartfelt condolences to the Huctwith family. I remember Mel Huctwith as a wonderful teacher and a very kind, thoughtful man. In any conversation he gave his full attention, face quietly composed, but always with a glimmer of mirth ready to burst through at any moment. I can imagine how he was a great father and perhaps an even better grandfather.
Dr. Barbara Crisp
LDSS Class of '75
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Don Van Massenhoven posted a condolence
Saturday, October 17, 2020
My sincerest condolences go out to Shirley and the entire Huctwith family. Mel was an exceptional human being. He provided so much wisdom and guidance to the entire Officiating fraternity of Southwestern Ontario for years and years. When people ask me about being a hockey official, Mel's name always comes up as one of the best if not the best, mentors and teachers I ever had. Someone mentioned in their tribute he was like the Scotty Bowman of Officiating. What a perfect comparison and analogy. Mel was a wealth of knowledge, but best of all, his calm, caring demeanor made you want to listen to every single thing he said. He will be missed tremendously, but I can say with certainty that he will never be forgotten by those he touched in the hockey world.
RIP Mel and thanks for everything you did for all of us.
Sincerely,
Don Van Massenhoven
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Dianne Beattie posted a condolence
Saturday, October 17, 2020
I extend sincere sympathy to Shirley and family, he will be missed by all..........Dianne Beattie & family
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John & Sandy Dixon posted a condolence
Saturday, October 17, 2020
Shirley and Family,
We were so saddened to learn of Mel's passing. We have great memories of our times with him in Grand Bend including golfing days at Sand Hills. A fine man, he'll be missed by so many. Wishing you strength at this difficult time and wonderful memories of him in the days and years ahead.
John & Sandy Dixon
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Elizabeth Wheeler posted a condolence
Saturday, October 17, 2020
Mel and I worked together at North Middlesex District High School. I was a rookie Vice Principal the year we both started there. I had high respect for Mel’s experience and perspective on life and teaching, and I remember tentatively asking for his feedback on how I was doing after the first several months. His support then, and throughout our tenure in Parkhill was very important and helped me to do a challenging job. Mel wrote me a letter when he retired. I treasure that letter and have it still. On those occasions when our paths crossed in retirement, he would tell me little vignettes which always made me feel good. I am truly sad that that opportunity will not happen again. I regret that the pandemic prevents me honouring Mel’s life in person. I offer my sympathy to your family, and I hope your many memories of happy times together sustain you in the days ahead. Libby Wheeler
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Dean Morris posted a condolence
Friday, October 16, 2020
Even though I was a mediocre student in History, Mr. Huctwith was my favourite teacher. I took a number of History courses just because he was the teacher, and Huctwith History was my favourite class. He challenged us to develop our critical thinking. I remember doing those large bristol board study charts he told us to do where you had who/what/when/where/why and how and events along the top. A fond memory I had was when Heather and I were in a music festival one evening at the Windermere Mount in London, and Mel thought he knew a shortcut through the complex, that included many dark corridors. I don't think we saved any time but it was a cool tour of the Mount.
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Kevin Glew posted a condolence
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Rest in peace to the wonderful, Mr. Huctwith. He was one of my favourite teachers at Lord Dorchester Secondary School. I learned a lot about history from him, but I'll remember him most for his support and the wisdom he shared outside the classroom. I loved his understated and dry sense of humour. He knew I was a baseball fan, so we talked about Jackie Robinson, the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays. And I can still remember running into him in the hallway and him telling me he had been to Toronto on the weekend and had walked by the SkyDome. "You wouldn't believe it, Kevin, but there are buildings in Toronto taller than the Home Hardware," he said without breaking a smile, referring. of course, to Dorchester's modest sized Home Hardware store. When I think of him telling me that now, it still makes me laugh. I was too young to appreciate how much Mr. Huctwith had given to the Dorchester community. Without him, I'm told, there would be no arena in Dorchester. He was also a highly respected referee across Ontario. I was fortunate in recent years to reconnect with him. My nephew and I sometimes sat beside him at Dorchester Dolphins games and I was blessed to listen to his quiet and astute analysis. To me, it was like sitting beside Scotty Bowman. He was watching the game at a total different level than me. But the thing I admired most about him was his perspective and his priorities. His family was No. 1. His grandkids sometimes were at the Dolphins games and they clearly adored him. And after a tough Dolphins' loss he would look at me and say, "Well, Kevin. There's a billion people in China that don't care." That truly put things into perspective. He was a great man. I'm sure going to miss him. My condolences to Shirley, Craig, Chris and Shelley, and Heather. I'm thinking of you and sending you strength. Sincerely, Kevin Glew
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Michelle Bish planted a tree in memory of Melford Huctwith
Thursday, October 15, 2020
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Our heartfelt condolences and caring thoughts for your loss. Mel was firmly planted in so many hearts. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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The family of Melford Howard Huctwith uploaded a photo
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
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