Geoffrey Neil Hutchinson (Hutch)

May 20, 1943 - May 11, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Geoffrey Neil Hutchinson. Geoff passed away early Sunday morning, May 11, 2025, after battling cancer with unwavering strength for two years. He lived life to the fullest, even traveling to Arizona in March.

Geoff was born on May 20, 1943, at Smithers Hospital to Joy and Arthur Hutchinson, a teacher and cattle farmer. He attended school in Telkwa and later graduated from high school in Smithers. Geoff worked various jobs in the logging industry before returning to take over the family farm. For many years, he farmed on Woodmere Road before moving to Morden Road, where he boarded outfitters' horses and Camp Hope horses (nicknamed "Holy Horses"). A logger, road-building contractor, and trucker, Geoff's true passion was trucking. He often said there were few roads north of Highway 16 he hadn't traveled. He remained a hard-working man until the end, still hauling loads at 81.

A pillar of the community, Geoff dedicated himself to the Royal Canadian Legion where he recently received his 40-year pin and served as zone commander for several years, also a lifetime member of the Kinsmen, where he cut meat at the Telkwa Barbecue for the past 55 years, a testament to his commitment. Geoff also contributed to the Truckers Association, the Cattlemen's Association, the Bulkley Valley Fall Fair board, and local 4-H clubs, leaving a lasting impact on those organizations and the people he worked with.

Geoff was predeceased by his parents, Joy (Hobart) and Arthur Hutchinson, and his second wife, Marion. He is survived by his wife, Karen; foster brother, Ken (Cheryl) Turner; first wife, Loretta (Bob) Flint; children, Laurel (Glenn) Foerster, Nikki (Warren) Kluss, and Linda (Chris) Stewart; stepchildren, Martijn Denekamp, Marit Johnson, Karen Bredow, Aaron (Deborah) Krafczyk, Andrea (Mike) Kidd, and Byron Krafczyk; and grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Megan, Russel Borrett, Erik, Justin Tarasoff, Alexa Viotik, Emmett, Quinn Johnson, Jake Bredow, Abi, Marshall Krafczyk, Kobe, and Jax Kidd.

A celebration of Geoff's life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion in Smithers on August 30, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Geoff Hutchinson Bursary Fund, care of the Smithers Legion.