PORTLAND — Fred Everett Nutter, 82, died Feb. 26.

He was born in Sanford on Sept. 11, 1933, to Ruth Elizabeth and Arthur Preston Nutter and grew up in Alfred, graduating from Sanford High School in 1951.

After high school, Nutter joined the Navy and served during the Korean War. Following four years of service, he earned a Bachelor of Arts  in journalism in 1959, from Emerson College in Boston.  Nutter began his broadcasting career at WSME radio in Sanford, and later moved onto WPOR radio in Portland.

In 1965, Nutter joined WCSH radio, but quickly transitioned into television, embarking on a long and distinguished career as a broadcast journalist. He began by covering Portland City Hall, then the State House and was later promoted to the position of nightly news anchor. Nutter was promoted to news director at WCSH-TV, channel 6 in 1976; his career culminated in 2009, when he retired from the station as the editorial director.

Nutter was active in the Portland Public School Parent Teacher Organization, area youth sports programs, and umpired Little League baseball and softball. He was also very involved with the Deering High School Marching Band and Deering High School athletics in the booster programs. For many years Nutter was a popular emcee for Maine State Marching Band competitions. He very much enjoyed attending sporting events and other activities in which his children and grandchildren participated.

In 1973, Nutter made the first of many family trips to Walt Disney World in Florida, which was his favorite vacation spot. He also enjoyed spending summer weekends at Parsons Beach in Kennebunk and Wells Beach, where he shared his love of the ocean with his wife and children.

Nutter is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joan Elizabeth Stubbs Nutter, of Portland; three children, Edward A. Nutter, of Westbrook,  Robert F. Nutter Sr., of Cumberland and  Susan E. Nutter, of Portland; nine grandchildren, Nicole, Michael, Catherine, Robert Jr., Jonathan, Sarah, Victoria, Joseph and Nicholas; and a sister, Florence Nutter Brown, of Seattle, Washington.

A celebration of life was held March 4, at Woodfords Congregational Church in Portland, followed by interment with military honors at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Fred E. Nutter Broadcasting/Journalism Scholarship Fund, c/o Key Bank, 400 Forest Ave., Portland, ME 04101.

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