Predeceased by his loving wife of 50 years, Aggie Hutchcroft. Survived by his son and daughter-in-law Chris & Cheryl Hutchcroft, daughter and son-in-law Deeann & Sean Eckhart, grandchildren Cameron & Cheyla Hutchcroft and Sage & Ava Eckhart.
Bernie was born in 1940 in Deer Lake, Newfoundland to parents William and Flora Hutchcroft, joining brothers Art, William (Bill), Gordon, Laurie, Lloyd and sisters Ena, Audrey, Ada, and Marjorie.
Bernie joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and when stationed at CFB Chatham he met and married Aggie in 1961 and the couple were later stationed to CFB Comox.
Bernie served with the West Vancouver Police Department, after which he applied his electrician and security skills to alarm system installation and sales. After raising two children in North Vancouver, Bernie & Aggie retired to Courtenay in 1998.
Thank you for joining us for the celebration of life on June 1 at the Little Red Church, 2182 Comox Avenue, Comox. Video from the memorial is here https://youtu.be/VErupVpZ8qA
As an online memorial, please leave your story, wishes, and messages in the comments below. You do not need to have a Google account just choose Anonymous and leave your name in the message.
Shortly after being admitted to hospital on April 1, Dad had a stroke and was not able to fully communicate his displeasure at the situation. He received excellent care over the past four weeks by the staff at North Island Hospital Comox Valley. I know Dad appreciated all of the visits by friends and neighbours.
ReplyDeleteAll my best Chris Cheryl Cheyla Cameron DeeAnn Sage and Ava.
ReplyDeleteI miss both Bernie and Aggie. They were special people who knew how to enjoy life. We met at league bowling and for years we enjoyed using our Entertainment books as an excuse to get together for dinners. Rest in peace old friend!
ReplyDeleteAlthough we were neighbors Bernie and I did not meet until we both joined the West Vancouver Police in September 1973. We carpooled together for the six months we were in basic training at the VPD training academy in Stanley Park and shared our grumbles about the physical training we were subject too. Bernie was well respected in the training class as he also was as a member of WVPD. I hope Bernie and Aggie are now enjoying each others company again.
ReplyDeleteRIP Bernie
Stuart Leishman
I remember your parents fondly,their beautiful yard and bird house, these lovely dogs Tiny and Thea and Molasses sandwiches. I am so sorry for your loss. Your dad was so generous and supportive to you, he was a good dad and grandpa and a very good long time friend of my parents (more than 45 years!). He was a great dog person and took such amazing care of your mom. I know he will be greatly missed. We are thinking of you Deeann, Sage, Ava, Chris, Cameron, Cheyla, Cheryl and Sean. You were lucky to have him. XOX Coral, Damon, Orran and Elliott.
ReplyDeleteI've known the Hutchcrofts my entire life. I have many fond memories. Most when I was little and thought Bernie's name was Hutch. Bernie was a caring loving Dad who talked to his daughter every night. Thank you for bringing me my friend.
ReplyDeleteMy memory of Bernie was him being a relaxed and understanding father. I was saddened to hear the news of his passing. Even though he had lived on the Island for over 20 years, I will always think of the house on 22nd Street as being the Hutchcroft house. During the high school years I was just as likely to be found there as I was at my own home.
ReplyDeleteWe are sorry to hear your sad news. Such good times we had with Aggie and Bernie. They were our longtime neighbors and friends from when we first moved to north van in 1972. We loved walking the seawall with Aggie and Bernie. Aggie and I would walk faster then the boys because we wanted to talk 'girl' talk without them listening.
ReplyDeleteSuch fun we had at costco. R and B would say "stop shopping. We will never get this into the vehicle." We would continue shopping. Sometimes our car would be so full we had to hold things on our laps...with groceries at our feet and between us. Always at the end, Aggie would say she and i needed a treat which would mean a top or some other article of clothing.
Bernie was always going places at least 10 minutes ahead while Russ ran at least 10 minutes behind. Bernie's patience was always tested when he would have to pick us up. Aggie would phone ahead when they were leaving home to say BE READY because Bernie doesn't like waiting.
We enjoyed our trips to capilano heights restaurant with the hutchcrofts and phinneys. Peter and Bernie always shared a whole crab as none of the rest liked it.
We are grateful to have good memories of Aggie and Bernie. They were good people.
Sincerely Carolyn and Russ
With my husband Ron also being at WVPD, it seems like Bernie & Aggie were always a part of our lives. And that continued when he went with Knills Alarms & became our “alarm guy”. Always so good natured & easy going. But I don’t think we really got to know them until we all retired here to the Island. Our get togethers along with the rest of the gang that retired here were always full of laughter & story telling...lots of both......and Bernie & Aggie always had a unique take on things. They were a couple of gems and I will always remember them with great fondness. Much sympathy to the family and may the good memories stay with you.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to the family. I worked with Bernie in patrol for WVPD, and when he left for Knills Alarms and ADT we worked Crime Prevention Mall displays at Park Royal. He, Aggie and I had a lot of good times. He is probably still smiling as he looks down on us.
ReplyDeleteBernie Ball
Our sincere condolences to all of Bernie's family and friends. He will always be remembered as a real character with a wonderful smile. His love of family and friends was always a priority to him.
ReplyDelete"Bernie and Aggie now together forever".
With sympathy,
Les & Judy Fox, Victoria BC
Bernie was an amazing father-in-law whom I loved like my own father. He taught Chris how to do so many things but most importantly how to teach himself. Dad was always learning new things which kept his mind sharp and made him a wise and wonderful person. He has always encouraged our children to educate themselves which has set them up for a successful life. I will cherish the memories of our many times together, especially our trips to Hawaii, Tofino and Whistler. I am so lucky to have been a part of this family and thank you for loving us all so much and giving of yourself so freely to us and everyone you knew.
ReplyDeleteThis man was one of the most kindest and gentlest souls I have known in my lifetime. I have so many heartwarming memories of him, Aunt Aggie, Chris and Deeann through the years. From the cherry trees in their backyard in Vancouver to our visit to the Aquarium. He taught me to target shoot a pellet gun and he was the one who introduced me to Billy Miner's Pie at the Keg all those years ago when I visited both him and Aunt Aggie in Vancouver. He was a pillar of strength for Mom (Ada) after Dad passes all those years ago. Both Uncle Bernie and Aunt Aggie always made time to visit Mom with their pup in the summer. I loved his dry humor and his laugh, his whole face lit up when he smiled. I'm going to miss him dearly but I'm also so grateful for knowing him. Rest in Paradise Uncle Bernie. You are now with your love again. xxoo
ReplyDeleteTina in Alberta..
To Chris and Deeann and families, I was saddened to hear of Hutch's passing. He was a very nice man and I will remember with fondness his visits to Milton with Aggie in their R.V./Camper.I mentioned to my close friend the other day that Hutch had passed. She remembered the dinner we had at Hutch and Aggie's home in North Vancouver back in October 1990 when we had our girls trip out west. Chris, I remember you showing us your "throne" and all of us laughing, especially Aggie and Hutch. My deepest condolences to you all. Memories are wonderful things. Keep sharing. Love, Kathy (Foley) Veneman Milton, ON
ReplyDeleteVery sadden to get the news of the passing of a long time work & family friend , we sheared many laughs & good times with Bernie & Aggie.He (they) had many friends from all walks of life. Always a smile when they saw you. You will be missed & remembered by many. I,am sure your with your bowling partner again RIP mate. Peter & Oriel Norman
ReplyDeleteI couldnt have asked for a better father in law. He was kindhearted, talented, admired, fun loving and always had a smile on his face. He was an amazing person and what a remarkable life. I feel so lucky that I got to know him. I'm going to miss all the selfies we took together when we were out together.
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed
Sean
There are no words to really describe Bernie, without describing Aggie too, as they were a set. Rose brought them home with her, from her hair shop and from the first time here, they never left, as we lived at each other's houses for meals,cards and drives. Being from the East coast ourselves, it just cemented our friendship.....they are both always going to be missed....Harlen and Rose
ReplyDeleteBernie was a wonderful next-door neighbour for 15 years. A wicked sense of humour and a smile were his trademarks. If you needed help for anything he was there. A great loss to his family and a loss to the community too.
ReplyDeleteWe loved and cherished our friendship with Bernie and Aggie since way before even Chris was born. Hundreds of wonderful memories and laughs along the way. Bernie and Aggie both having wicked sense of humour. And the camping trips....So sorry for your loss you kids and your spouses and kids. You had some magnificent folks for parents....Our heartfelt sympathy and love is with you all. Dan and Tina Keely
ReplyDeleteOh my awesome uncle Bernie, I will always remember you and aunt Aggie,when you guys came every summer and help with our chores,I will always love you and miss you both,rest in pease my handsome uncle. All my love to Deeann and Chris.all my hugs your niece Karen and Rick. xoxo.
ReplyDeleteWe first met Bernie and Aggie when they moved into the McBride neighbourhood in 1998 - we instantly connected, given our similarities as transplanted North Vancouverites AND having common friendships with folks from the North Shore Credit Union! But it was the genuine and easy manner and senses of humour that truly established our friendship with Bernie and Aggie.
ReplyDeleteI miss Bernie's ready smile and "how are you doing today?" as each day I returned from work and walked past the often open garage where Bernie patiently plied his talents on a project. More than a neighbour, but a great person and friend.
Peace be with you and Aggie.
xo Val and Roman