Fly n Ski Memories Shoal Bay Nelson Bay (Tomaree Peninsula areas) by News Of The Area - Modern Media - March 15, 2017 Marika Hutchinson looking over photos of the days of “Fly n Ski” Shoal Bay.(left) Raymond Hutchinson left behind a huge legacy of love. Photos by Jewell Drury ( right) MARIKA and Raymond Hutchinson married 45 years ago with Raymond, a Vietnam veteran, working in various positions including as a detective with the NSW Police Force and Marika working as a Community Services Co-ordinator. Modern Media: Advertise with News Of The Area and you get your ad in 1) in Print, 2) on the News Website (like this ad), and 3) on our Social Media news site. A much more efficient way to advertise. Reach a HUGE audience for a LOW price TODAY! Call us on 02 4983 2134. Or media@newsofthearea.com.au Or CLICK FOR ADVERT QUOTE The couple found Port Stephens through their love of Scuba diving and boating and moved to Lemon Tree Passage and later to Salamander Bay. In 1989, Raymond purchased the Parasailing Business, “Fly n Ski” Shoal Bay and taught himself how to ski and operate the parasailing shute and boat. “Raymond was an amazing man and could put his hand and mind to anything, learning new skills as they were needed,” Marika Hutchinson told Bay News Of The Area. In 2013, Raymond retired after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Last April, Raymond had a downturn in his health where it was found that he had been misdiagnosed and actually had Lewy Bodies, the same disease that comedian Robin Williams suffered with. Determined that Raymond would not live out his last days in a nursing home, Marika camped for two nights outside the Landcom land release estate at Corlette so she could purchase the smallest and flattest block of land in order to have a purpose built home to accommodate Raymond. Raymond made several trips to the home while it was being built but sadly passed away, August 9 2016, before it was finished. Ray loved and enjoyed operating “Fly n Ski” the most and it is because of this that Marika has chosen to make a memorial to him of this time, in their new home, in the hopes of linking Raymond to the home. “I would dearly love any pictures in relation to this business as I plan to make a memorial to him in my home,” Marika said. Raymond leaves behind a legacy of love in Marika, their two sons, Christian and Adrian, and four granddaughters Callie, Shelby, Reaghan and Evie. “We had an amazing life together, we travelled, we scuba dived and danced,” Mrs Hutchinson said. If you have any photos of Parasailing with Fly n Ski from 1989 to the early 2000s, please forward your details to jewell@newsofthearea.com.au. By Jewell DRURY
