Edward Hinckley Chute

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of retiree Edward Hinckley Chute of Hatchville, a veteran who ran Crooked Pond Farm with his wife for more than 35 years, on March 5, 2023, following a period of declining health. He was 94.

Born in Allston to James E. and Bessie (Hinckley) Chute, Edward was a graduate of Waltham High School before serving in the US Coast Guard at the end of World War II.

In 1951, Edward began his career at WHOI as an electronics technician.  He served as a radio operator on several early research vessels.  He was promoted several times throughout his tenure and became an electronics repair technician and a shop foreman.  He retired in 1988 but returned on a casual basis and left permanently in 1997.

It was at WHOI where he met Nancy Williams of Hatchville. They married in 1953 and raised their four children in Woods Hole.

In addition to his full-time job at WHOI, Edward had several side businesses repairing electronics and reupholstering furniture out of his basement. In his workshop he also built skiffs and model ships, including a scale model of the original R/V Atlantis, which is on display at WHOI.

In 1986 Edward and his family moved to Crooked Pond Farm. At the farm they raised and sold dig-your-own landscaping evergreens. They also raised horses, several goats, many chickens, and dogs.

Edward was a board member of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation on Cape Cod and a Town Meeting member in Precinct Eight for several terms.

In addition to his wife of 69 years, he leaves his children Christopher Hinckley and his wife, Valerie, of Osterville; James Hinckley and his wife, Kim, of Waquoit; Jonathan Hinckley and his wife, Beth Loring, of Westford; and Jennifer Cattin and her husband, Stephane, of Hatchville; 10 grandchildren; and six great grandchildren; and other family.

He was predeceased by his brothers, William and Donald Chute, and an infant daughter, Caryn Hinckley.

Visiting hours are planned for Tuesday, March 21, from 2-3 p.m. at Chapman Funerals & Cremations in Falmouth, with a memorial service following at 3 p.m.

Information for this obituary is from the Falmouth Enterprise