Thomas L. Dutton

He was born in Weymouth, MA, on February 26, 1945, the son of Charles A. and Florence M. (Gossler) Dutton. He was raised in Lyndeboro, NH.

As a teenager, he was a strong student and athlete. While working at agricultural and timber jobs, he developed his love of the outdoors and his physical endurance.

After attending Columbia University where he received a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering, he served as a Navy Seabee during the Vietnam War.

He resided in Surry for 43 years and was the City Engineer with the City of Keene for 36 years. Throughout his life, he spent his happiest times fishing in his canoe and hiking, especially in pine forests. He was known for his dry sense of humor, his integrity, and his seriousness of purpose. He was recognized easily from afar by his distinctive loping gait.

A quiet and modest man, he was concerned that his obituary not seem boastful. His loving family and friends know, however, that he will be dearly missed by members of many communities to whom he contributed subtle wit, considered wisdom, and determined work, including the Town of Surry: as a member of the Surry Volunteer Fire Department; the Surry Players; the ROMEO Club; Monadnock Squares; Keene Public Works and Keene City Hall; the NH Surveyors Association; the NH Society of Professional Engineers; and the Ashuelot Canoe Racers. He went out of his way to be particularly kind and generous to the very young and the elderly.

He is survived by his “favorites”, his wife of nearly 46 years, Julia M. (Perrone) Dutton, of Surry; daughter, Nancy Dutton and son-in-law Andrew Mankin, of Great Barrington, MA; brother William Dutton of Barrington, NH; sister Jane Dutton of Albany, NY; and a strong, supportive extended family and community. He is predeceased by a sister, Sally Tesoro.

A memorial mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday, May 7th at 10:30AM in St. Margaret Mary Church, 33 Arch Street, Keene. Burial will follow in the Village Cemetery, Village Road, Surry. Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00PM at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s name to the Surry Volunteer Fire Department, c/o Chief Durwin Clark, 444 Route 12A, Surry, NH 03431.