Beloved Avon Fire Official Mourned

AVON, CT — A longtime member of the Avon Volunteer Fire Department and a past captain and president is being mourned following his recent passing.

The AVFD said Thursday morning that retired captain and former department president Maurice "Dutch" Dutcher has died.

"President Dutcher, or 'Dutch' as he was affectionately called, was an early member of the Avon Volunteer Fire Department and made significant contributions to the organization during his time as a member," the AVFD wrote via social media.

According to the department, Dutcher moved to Avon from Norfolk in 1955 and became a firefighter for Avon in 1957.

Dutcher is credited with playing a major leadership role when the AVFD merged with the independent West Avon Fire and Secret Lake Fire departments in 1960.

Active throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Dutcher rose through the officer ranks, serving as a lieutenant and, then, captain.

He became a member of the board of directors in 1975, becoming vice president and, then, president, a tenure that ended in 1983.

Dutcher served as the AVFD's liaison to the town council from 1987 to 1992 and was active in the department through 2009, when he retired after 52 years.

"To show our respect and appreciation for Dutch and all he has done for the Avon Volunteer Fire Department over the years, black bunting shall be hung on the stations beginning today and remain in place for one week," wrote the AVFD.

"Details regarding a memorial service (planned for later in the spring) will be shared as they become available."