Obituary

On Friday,  February 16th, 1951, Victor Cleveland and Juanita Agnes Hutchinson welcomed their 3rd child, Joseph, into the world at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital in Kingston Jamaica.

An unmatched literature evangelist, Dr. Hutchinson’s father was sent as a missionary from the East Jamaica Conference to Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua where Dr. Hutchinson along with his other siblings experienced the joys and challenges of the ministry and the mission field in their early years.

In 1960, the Hutchinsons returned to Jamaica and became an integral part of the birth of a new conference, the Central Jamaica Conference.

Upon graduation from high school, Dr. Hutchinson received his call to the gospel ministry and enrolled in West Indies College completing his Bachelor of Theology degree in 1973. His love of languages and exposure to Spanish at an early age contributed to his proficiency in Greek and Hebrew. He received the distinction of being selected for four years as a Greek reader in the Theology program. His love for evangelism also grew while at West Indies College, where he worked three evangelistic campaigns prior to graduation.  

In 1973, Dr. Hutchinson followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Central Jamaica Conference where he served as an Ordained Pastor, Personal Ministries Director, and Conference Secretary prior to his migration to the United States of America in 1988.

In 1976 he married Fay Alvaranga and from that union had three children, Chris, Marshé, and Kim.

From 1992 until his retirement in 2017, Dr.  Hutchinson served the Allegheny East Conference as Pastor to Hadley Memorial in Washington, D.C., Emmanuel of St. Leonard in Maryland, Community SDA in Englewood, New Jersey, Edmondson Heights in Baltimore, Maryland, and Pisgah in Bryans Road, Maryland.

Dr.  Hutchinson also served the Chesapeake Conference of Seventh Day Adventists where he pastored the Pikesville and Prince Emmanuel All Nations congregations.

Dr. Hutchinson is remembered as a principled, visionary, anointed servant leader, a church administrator, a church builder, and a theologian. He is also known for his focus on Evangelism, Christian Stewardship, and Christian Education.

He believed in the meaning of his name,  “The Lord shall add”  and was convinced that whatever he touched, especially in God’s work, would be blessed. And he always wanted those same blessings for his family and friends.

He believed in education and being equipped for life regardless of the chosen field. As an ordained pastor with a Masters's degree in Religion, he matriculated to Howard University’s School of Social Work and became a licensed social worker.  This training and exposure heightened his awareness of the global community with a focus on social justice, equality, and human rights. 

He had a larger-than-life personality, loved people, and was not afraid to share himself with others while still focused on his family. An avid reader, he loved politics and political causes. He was an all-around sportsman with a love for swimming, cricket, badminton, tennis, track, and golf. He was one of the best golfers in the Seventh-day Adventist church.

Dr. Hutchinson was incredibly generous with himself and his resources; a philanthropist donating to causes of import and also generous with his love. He loved unconditionally and always shared an abundance of hope and optimism. He had the unique ability to disagree with you and still be your friend. In his presence, you were always loved. 

Most importantly, Dr. Hutchinson loved the Lord, and he loved the Seventh-day Adventist church and its services. Baby dedications, baptisms, weddings, and communion services were always high points in his ministry.  He was never afraid to pray with and declare a blessing on anyone and frequently did so even on the golf course.

On October 31st, 2023, Dr. Hutchinson took his last breath at 1:24 PM surrounded by his immediate family and friends. Dr. Hutchinson is survived by his wife Fay, son Chris, daughters Marshé and Kim,  grandchildren Helaena, Marcus, Gaia, and Terra, brothers Merton, David, Clifford, and Charles and his sister, Juana.

“Well done thou good and faithful servant.” 

 The Lord has given His servant rest. He awaits the call of the Lifegiver.