Kenneth Alan Hinckley

ROCKPORT, Mass./SOLON – Kenneth Alan Hinckley, 87, of Rockport, Mass., husband of Cynthia (Hillier) Hinckley, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. The oldest of five children, Ken was born in Gloucester, Mass. on Oct. 20, 1933. The family lived in the Riverdale area of Gloucester and one of Ken’s first jobs was working at the Babson Farm delivering ice and milk.

After graduating from Gloucester High School, Ken enlisted in the Army from 1953-1956 as a high-speed radio operator stationed in St. Lawrence Island and Nome, Alaska.

Ken loved living in Pigeon Cove, which he called “God’s country”, and joined the volunteer fire department, as a member of Speedwell Engine Company, in 1957 and retired on Jan. 1, 1992. During his tenure, he made rank of assistant chief. While on the fire department, he was one of the first to pass the EMT test and was very proud of it. Many current and veteran volunteer fire fighters of Rockport recall Kenny having a massive stroke during a car fire they had been called to. He spent months in rehab but with determination and perseverance he recovered to continue living a full life.

Ken’s trade was as an amazingly skilled crane operator, working for Elliot Stevedoring, which served him well to also use that talent to help put up the Christmas trees in Dock Square and building the bonfires on Back Beach for the 4th of July.

Ken also had a passion for Maine and enjoyed sailing the Maine coast aboard Bent Story’s schooner, and also purchased a small “camp” in Solon, where he would spend as much time as possible, often going for months at a time until he was called back to Rockport for annoying doctor appointments. Even after he stopped driving, his dedicated stepson, Billy (often with family in tow), would drive him to camp and pick him up weeks later or they would just spend a nice weekend there together.

“The quality of a man’s life is measured by how deeply he has touched the lives of others” – Charles Walcott. Ken made many friends in both Maine and Rockport and kept those friendships close even when it was difficult to physically visit.

Ken was a member of the Grand Lodge of the Masons for 52 years; American Legion Post 98 for 65 years, Gloucester Elks Lodge for 54 Years; and the Maine Antique Tractor Club for 27 years.

Kenny loved his family, a good Manhattan, a tender steak and a big baked potato. He enjoyed the simple things like staring for hours into his field at camp, waiting for the various deer, ducks, woodchucks, and other wildlife to visit him. He used to say “life is for the living” and our family will remember that as we move forward with wonderful memories of Kenny in our hearts.

In addition to his wife, Cynthia, he is survived by his children, Kristine Burns and her husband, Barry, of Gloucester, Mass., David Hinckley and his wife, Christy, of Pittsfield, N.H., and Karen Lawrence and her husband, Edmond, of Epping, N.H.; his stepchildren, Holly Mason and her boyfriend, Michael Castrichini, of Rockport, Mass., and William “Billy” Irvin and his wife, Fleur, of Rockport, Mass.; his grandchildren, Kevin Gerstner, Torrie Smith, Shayna Burns, Melanie LoGrasso, Holly Tripp, Elaina Fisher, Andrea Nelson, Tasha Wright, Alyssa Nelson, Edmond Lawrence Jr., Joanne Lawrence, Lindsey Mason, Lauren Mason, Jason Haselgard, and Eli Irvin; sisters Judith Hinckley, of Mendon, Mass., and Jane Mialkowski of Brattleboro, Vt.; brother-in-law, Fred Hillier; nephew, Michael Budrow IV; and many more nephews, nieces, and great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Annie (Nelson) Hinckley; brother, John Hinckley and sister, Linda Budrow.

Due to COVID-19, there will be no services at this time. A graveside burial will be held at the Beachbrook Cemetery, Gloucester, Mass. at a later date.

Arrangements by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St., Gloucester, Mass. Online condolences may be given at: http://www.greelyfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made either to

The Cape Ann Animal Aid,

4 Paws Lane,

Gloucester, MA 01930

https://www.capeannanimalaid.org/donate.html; or

The Open Door Food Pantry,

28 Emerson Ave.,

Gloucester, MA 01930

to help those in need during these difficult times –

https://theopendoor.networkforgood.com/