Major General Joseph E. Tinkham, II
South Gardiner-Major General Joseph E. Tinkham, II, passed away peacefully Friday morning at the Maine VA Medical Center, after a long battle with cancer at the age of 73. His loving wife Nancy, of twenty-nine years, was by his side. He was the eldest son of Joseph E. Tinkham (d.1971) and Gail P. Tinkham (d.1993) Major General Tinkham’s lifelong devotion was to his family, the military and his country. He served over thirty-seven years in the Army and Maine Army National Guard. In 1966, he was drafted into active service and upon graduation from Officer Candidate School he was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer. From 1967 to 1973, he toured Germany and Vietnam as a member of the 1st Calvary Division. He left active duty with the rank of Captain and later joined the Maine Army National Guard, where he was assigned as a battery commander within the 152 Field Artillery. Throughout his military career Maj. General Tinkham served in a number of prestigious assignments to include Commander of the Troop Command and Chief of Staff of the Maine Army National Guard. Subsequent to his military service Major General Tinkham served as the Deputy Commissioner of Maine’s Department of Defense, Veterans, and Emergency Management and had a short tenure as the Executive Director of the Maine Veteran’s Homes. His career culminated in 2000 with his appointment- as the Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard and Homeland Security Advisor to the former Governor’s Angus King and John Baldacci. At home, Joe enjoyed reading and quiet times. His passion was military history and he would gladly share his knowledge with anyone eager to listen. He had a knack for storytelling and entertained the grandkids with silly songs like the “Pretty Little Whippoorwill…” and wouldn’t he laugh when they would try singing it along with him. Mostly he enjoyed sitting on the front porch looking out over the Kennebec River watching the ducks or the magnificent eagles that built a nest directly across the river. He is survived by his wife Nancy of South Gardiner; his son, Blair Tinkham and his wife Lynn; step daughter Saroya Wronski her husband Sam; step son Victor Saremi and his wife Christina; his beloved sister Kim and her husband David Lavallee; his brother Jim and wife Becky; brother Tom; sister Kini-Ana and husband Randy Schwartz; and his amazing seven grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Campton, Parker, Tilden, Penelope, Boden, Sidonie, and Nima; along with his cherished nieces Katie, Sarah, Kellie, Kara, Haley, and nephew Taylor; and the two newest family members Jack and Emilie. A military viewing for family and retirees will be held Thursday, April 1, 2021, from 10:30am to 11:30am at Camp Chamberlain, 23 Blue Star Rd., Augusta. COVID guidelines issued by the DCD and the State of Maine including the wearing of masks and social distancing will be observed. There will be graveside service at the Maine Veteran’s Cemetery at 12:00 PM on Thursday April 1, 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, 361 Old Belgrade Rd., Augusta, ME 04330. Arrangements are by Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner, where condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website familyfirstfuneralhomes.comObituary
South Gardiner-Major General Joseph E. Tinkham, II, passed away peacefully Friday morning at the Maine VA Medical Center, after a long battle with cancer at the age of 73. His loving wife Nancy, of twenty-nine years, was by his side. He was the eldest son of Joseph E. Tinkham (d.1971) and Gail P. Tinkham (d.1993) Major General Tinkham’s lifelong devotion was to his family, the military and his country. He served over thirty-seven years in the Army and Maine Army National Guard. In 1966, he was drafted into active service and upon graduation from Officer Candidate School he was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer. From 1967 to 1973, he toured Germany and Vietnam as a member of the 1st Calvary Division. He left active duty with the rank of Captain and later joined the Maine Army National Guard, where he was assigned as a battery commander within the 152 Field Artillery. Throughout his military career Maj. General Tinkham served in a number of prestigious assignments to include Commander of the Troop Command and Chief of Staff of the Maine Army National Guard. Subsequent to his military service Major General Tinkham served as the Deputy Commissioner of Maine’s Department of Defense, Veterans, and Emergency Management and had a short tenure as the Executive Director of the Maine Veteran’s Homes. His career culminated in 2000 with his appointment- as the Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard and Homeland Security Advisor to the former Governor’s Angus King and John Baldacci. At home, Joe enjoyed reading and quiet times. His passion was military history and he would gladly share his knowledge with anyone eager to listen. He had a knack for storytelling and entertained the grandkids with silly songs like the “Pretty Little Whippoorwill…” and wouldn’t he laugh when they would try singing it along with him. Mostly he enjoyed sitting on the front porch looking out over the Kennebec River watching the ducks or the magnificent eagles that built a nest directly across the river. He is survived by his wife Nancy of South Gardiner; his son, Blair Tinkham and his wife Lynn; step daughter Saroya Wronski her husband Sam; step son Victor Saremi and his wife Christina; his beloved sister Kim and her husband David Lavallee; his brother Jim and wife Becky; brother Tom; sister Kini-Ana and husband Randy Schwartz; and his amazing seven grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Campton, Parker, Tilden, Penelope, Boden, Sidonie, and Nima; along with his cherished nieces Katie, Sarah, Kellie, Kara, Haley, and nephew Taylor; and the two newest family members Jack and Emilie. A military viewing for family and retirees will be held Thursday, April 1, 2021, from 10:30am to 11:30am at Camp Chamberlain, 23 Blue Star Rd., Augusta. COVID guidelines issued by the DCD and the State of Maine including the wearing of masks and social distancing will be observed. There will be graveside service at the Maine Veteran’s Cemetery at 12:00 PM on Thursday April 1, 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, 361 Old Belgrade Rd., Augusta, ME 04330. Arrangements are by Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner, where condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website familyfirstfuneralhomes.com
Events
12:00 PM
Augusta, ME 04330