The Town of Irricana's chief administrative officer, Barrie Hutchinson, passed away on Sept. 3 following a brief battle with cancer, according to his obituary.
Hutchinson was 77 years old at the time of passing.
"His laughter, love and shared memories will remain forever in our hearts," reads his obituary.
According to his obituary, Hutchinson is survived by his wife of 36 years, Audrey, four children, and seven grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, a brother, a sister-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
Irricana Mayor Jim Bryson said Hutchinson was a dear personal friend of his, the two having met shortly after Bryson moved to town in 2007.
“I’ve known him for quite a few years and he was a very loving, caring, giving person,” Bryson said. “He would volunteer and help anyone at any time. He was just a great person.”
The mayor added Hutchinson was retired when he agreed to step in as the Town's interim CAO in 2020. Hutchinson served in the role until earlier this summer.
“In the short time he was CAO, he accomplished a great deal for this town,” Bryson said. “He learned how to apply for and get grants, much more so than any other CAO I can remember. He repaired relations with the Town staff and the union – he was a people person and got a hell of a lot done for this town.”
Hutchinson's obituary states a celebration of life will be held at the Irricana Lions Community Hall on Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. The obit states his family is asking that memorial tributes be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, located at 200 – 325 Manning Rd. NE in Calgary, by calling (403) 205-3966 or emailing [email protected].
A tree will be planted in Hutchinson's memory at the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.
