Lee Schutt, 57, killed in crash with grain truck on Route 96 in Farmington on August 12.

The town office in Hopewell, along with the highway department, was closed Wednesday and will remain closed until Monday as employees mourn the loss of Lee Schutt, 57. "Lee was a very dedicated and loyal employee. an excellent mechanic," said Town Supervisor Margaret Hilton. Schutt was driving a town highway pickup truck at the time of Tuesday's crash in Farmington. Deputies said a grain truck swerved to avoid hitting a wheel that fell off of another vehicle when it tipped over and landed on Schutt's truck. He died at the scene. Hilton said he worked for the highway department for 27 years and at the time of the crash, was on his way to get parts to repair the highway trucks. Flags were lowered to half staff in his honor. "His family is very well known in Hopewell and Hopewell is a very small community. Everyone knew Lee and a lot of respect for his family. It's a loss for the town and an even greater loss for his family," said Hilton. Members from the Squaw Island Amateur Radio Club say the loss of Schutt is felt by many. They said he was a member for the past five years and his love for radio made him many friends on and off the air. "He was at every meeting, every club function, all the service events. Whenever you had something that needed to be done, Lee was there to help out" said Tom Sanders, Squaw Island Amateur Radio. Even if it meant pushing cars in the rain. "Two weeks ago, we helped out with the Red Cross run and he was helping the parking people and as luck would have it, with all the rain, many cars were stuck and he was there 'til the very end making sure all the cars got out," said Sanders. Friends said Schutt touched the lives of many people. "He will be missed," said Sanders. Hilton said she has been in contact with Schutt's family but no arrangements have been made yet.