Gerald Hinkley

1934 – 2018

Lewiston – Gerald A. Hinkley, 84, of Auburn, passed away on Monday October 1, 2018 at Central Maine Medical Center with his loving family by his side. He was born in Lewiston, Maine on January 6, 1934, a son of the late Paul and Aller (Lee) Hinkley. He attended local schools, graduating from Leavitt High School. On June 29, 1957, he married the love of his life, Barbara Briggs. Together they lived and worked in the Lewiston-Auburn area raising their young family. He worked for over 23 years as a foreman for Bird and Son Manufacturing He then worked at Reed Paper from 1981 to 1999 when he retired. In his younger years he played baseball for the town of Greene baseball team and was a member of The Sportsman Alliance of Maine. He had a great passion for hunting, fishing and bee-keeping. He enjoyed playing golf at Fairlawn and Apple Valley and he was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. Lately he truly loved having the opportunity to go hunting with his granddaughters Jessica and Ashley. His greatest love in life was the precious time he enjoyed spending with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Our dad was passionate about hunting and kloved to go to camp with his boys and granddaughters. He was very skilled in the woods and took several 200lb plus bucks. He taught us everything there was to know about getting the big ones, but the most important thing he taught us was how “Not” to kill. Unless it was a really big deer, he would let it go to live on for someone else. He was a very unselfish man. He was sitting with me when I got my first deer at the age of 13 and I was sitting with him when he got his last deer at the age of 80. He was very sick that day but still wanted to be with me. A tumor behind his “good eye”, it was over a 100 yard shot with a muzzle loader, right on the mark.

His last unselfish act was at age 82. We were hunting in the same woods when I watched a large racked 200lb buck heading down a path where I knew he was waiting. I let it go, waiting for the “Bang” that never came. Finally my phone rang and it was him telling me he just let a 200lb plus deer stand in front of him at 30 yards and walk off. When I asked why he didn’t shoot, his response was,”well, It’s Monday of the first week and I didn’t want to end my season yet, it’s still early. Later that season I had my daughter there, the deer came down the same path and my daughter was able to put herself in the biggest bucks in Maine Club with an 8 point, 205lb pound buck. He truly was an unselfish man.

Thanks for all the great memories dad which are way too many to list. Until we meet again.

Gerald is survived by his wife of 61 years: Barbara (Briggs) Hinkley, 2 sons: Brett Hinkley and wife Monique of Auburn, Corey Hinkley and wife Danielle of Turner, 4 grandchildren: Justin Hinkley, Jessica Turner and husband Lauren, Alyssa St. Cyr and husband Justin, Ashley Morneault and husband Joey, 4 great-grandchildren: Brayden, Serena, Luke, Carson, 1 brother: Marshall Hinkley and wife Gloria and many nieces and nephews. Beside his parents, he was predeceased his brother: Weston Hinkley who was killed in the Korean Conflict on November 27, 1950 and is still listed as MIA. His sister: Pauline St. Pierre and brother: Robert “Jimmy” Hinkley.

You are invited to offer your condolences and share fond memories with the family by visiting Gerald’s guestbook at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

A graveside service will be private and for family only at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Auburn. Those wishing may make donations in Gerald's memory to: Make a Wish Foundation of Maine, 87 Elm St., Suite 203, Camden, Maine 04843.

A Service of The Fortin Group/Plummer Merrill Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services, 217 Turner St., Auburn, Maine 04210. 783-8545