LEWISTON — Gerald A. Hinkley, 84, of Auburn passed away Monday, Oct. 1, at Central Maine Medical Center with his loving family by his side.

He was born in Lewiston on Jan. 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 & Son Manufacturing. Then he worked at Reed Paper from 1981-1999, when he retired.

In his younger years he played for the town of Greene baseball team and was a member of The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. He had a great passion for hunting, fishing and beekeeping. 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 loved to go to camp with his boys and granddaughters. He was very skilled in the woods and took several 200-plus-pound 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 muzzleloader, 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, 200-pound 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 200-plus-pound 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, 205-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; two sons, Brett Hinkley and wife, Monique, of Auburn, Corey Hinkley and wife, Danielle, of Turner; four grandchildren, Justin Hinkley, Jessica Turner and husband, Lauren, Alyssa St. Cyr and husband, Justin, Ashley Morneault and husband, Joey; four great-grandchildren, Brayden, Serena, Luke, Carson; one brother, Marshall Hinkley, and wife, Gloria; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Weston Hinkley, who was killed in the Korean Conflict on Nov. 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 guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

A graveside service will be private and for family only at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Auburn. A Service of The Fortin Group/Plummer Merrill Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services, 217 Turner St., Auburn, 783-8545.

Gerald A. Hinkley

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