Officials to unveil markers for J. Edward Hutchinson Memorial Bypass
Greensburg area first responders won’t soon forget legendary fire chief J. Edward “Hutch” Hutchinson. But just in case, they will have an official section of roadway to remind them of the region’s longest-serving fire chief.
State and local officials will gather at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce Building, 241 Tollgate Hill Road, Hempfield, to unveil a pair of signs designating a section of Route 30 from North Greengate Road to East Pittsburgh Street as the J. Edward “Hutch” Hutchinson Memorial Bypass.
The longtime Greensburg fire chief and community booster died April 15, 2018, at age 96. He was active in the fire service for 78 years and chief for 63 of them.
Known for his salty language and colorful stories as well as his skills as a community organizer, Hutchinson organized aid projects in the face of natural disasters up and down the eastern U.S. and steered various community projects, including the Aerobic Center, the Air Rescue East helicopter service, Mutual Aid Ambulance Service, the fitness center at Greensburg Salem High School and sports fields and various pavilions throughout Greensburg. He helped create the Westmoreland County 911 system in the 1970s and served for years on Excela Westmoreland Hospital’s board of directors.
State Sen. Kim Ward, R-Hempfield, who sponsored the bill creating the memorial roadway designation, said it was the least the community could do to recognize Hutchinson’s efforts. She said she will join his family and community leaders for the ceremony unveiling the markers.
The memorial highway designation is the most recent honor to memorialize Hutchinson’s community work. This month, officials at the Greensburg Aerobic Center unveiled a plaque and wall dedicated to Hutchinson.
The Route 30 Hutchinson Bypass joins the Route 66 Greensburg Bypass, a highway originally named for the fire chief’s brother, Amos K. Hutchinson, a late state lawmaker who lobbied for years to have the road built.
Deb Erdley is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Deb at derdley@triblive.com.
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