Norman Winn Hutchinson

HUTCHINSON, Norman W. "Norm"79, passed away surrounded by his loving family January 2, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. He was born November 7, 1941 in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Lee Andrew Hutchinson and Georgie Bell. In 1947, his family moved to Florida, where he graduated from Plant High School in 1960 and joined the U.S. Air Force. He was an Air Operations Specialist and Morse Intercept Operator stationed in Pakistan. While serving, he was a member of the United States Air Force Security Service and was tasked with monitoring, collecting and interpreting military voice and electronic transmissions from countries of interest. In 1964, he married his former wife, Patricia Enriquez, and moved to California, where they had daughters Monica and Michele. In 1970, he brought his family back to Tampa when his father, Hillsborough County Auxiliary Sergeant Lee Andrew "Andy" Hutchinson was killed in the line of duty. Norm was the owner/operator of Hutchinson's Lawn Service, working alongside his brothers for 30 plus years before his retirement. He met his current wife, Patricia Wuckovich Hutchinson, in 1982 and they were married January 8, 1983, adding her two daughters, Vicky and Robin, to their family. They would have celebrated 38 years of marriage this year. The other love of his life was baseball and he was heavily involved in supporting area minor league teams and served as booster club president of the Tampa Tarpons for many years. He was on the committee for the Friends of Al Lopez to erect the statue that still stands today in Al Lopez Park. He served on the Florida Diamond Club of Major League Scouts and College Coaches throughout the state and assisted with their annual awards banquet. Next came the state high school baseball tournament where he served on the awards committee. Finally, since 1991, he devoted countless hours as the Site Coordinator for the annual Tony Saladino Baseball Tournament. He was a vital member of the volunteer staff and his contribution to the support and showcasing of area high school baseball players is immeasurable. One of his proudest Saladino moments was watching his grandson, Dane, participate in the tournament in 2010. He was respected and loved by the Saladino staff and was always the first to arrive and the last to leave. In addition to baseball he was an avid sports enthusiast and collector. He enjoyed watching football, Nascar and baseball, including all of the sports events of each of his grandchildren. He also traveled each year to Indianapolis to attend the Indy 500 with treasured family and friends. He was passionate about his family and reveled in hosting his annual Christmas Eve Dinner. He is survived by his loving wife, Pat; his daughters, Monica Metzger, Michele Adams (Creighton), Vicky Jones (Greg), and Robin Schultz (Sean); four grandchildren, Dane Moore, Jordan and Jamison Metzger, and Gabrielle Schultz. He is also survived by brother, Charles Michie; sister, Carolyn Steffy; three sisters-in-law and numerous nieces, nephews and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Lee and Steve Hutchinson. Norm was always willing to make the sacrifice for the sake of his team. He would lean into a pitch and take the bruise. He would go to bat for anyone. He was selfless. And like a pitcher leading his team onto the field, everyone wanted to be there with him. Seventy nine seasons into the game, his legend is revered and we will be first in line to nominate him to the Hall of Fame. He was a legend and we are his adoring fans. We are proud to have been drafted to the same team. Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.