Ernest was born March 28, 1963, one of 11 children to the late Myles and Mary (Kennedy) Hinkley.
Ernie was a kind, loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, brother , uncle and friend. Ernie loved playing ball (great centre-fielder), hockey, darts, and made life-long friendships with the people who played with him. He loved to hunt, fish, watch live horse racing, and playing cards with family and friends. He was very devoted to his family and friends, along with the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Ernie was employed in the fishing industry for a number of years. He fished gaspereau as a helper for some of the fishers on the S. W. Margaree River and fished lobster with his brother Brian out of Inverness. A serious car accident a number of years ago prevented Ernie from working in the industry he loved.
Ernie is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Mary (MacLeod); sons, Mark (Carlie), Todd (Savannah); daughter, Amanda; and his grandchildren, Ashton, Chloe, Zachary, Arlo, Oliver, and Georgia. He is also survived by his brothers, Brian (Jessica), Bernie (Corinna), Archie, Walter (Sam); sisters, Sally, Danena, Mary (Donald) and Irene. Ernie is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and the MacLeod Family.
Besides his parents, Ernie was predeceased by his son, Myles Donald in infancy; brothers, Hector and Johnny; and in-laws, Donald and Catherine MacLeod.
Ernie was a member of St Joseph's Parish, S. W. Margaree. Visitation and funeral mass will take place at St Joseph's Church, S. W. Margaree
Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Sunday, Nov 16, 2025. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am on Monday, November 17, 2025 with Father Peter LeBlanc presiding. Burial will follow in St Joseph's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Joseph's Cemetery Fund or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com
