Clarence L. Hinckley

Clarence Linwood Hinckley, 98, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully on May 28, 2023, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on December 27, 1924, in Manchester, Connecticut, the third of four children of Chauncey Clark Hinckley and Mary Jane Fuller.

Clarence was a descendant of many of the early families of New England. Ancestor Samuel Hinckley came to America in 1630. Samuel’s descendants also include three US Presidents. His Mayflower ancestors include William Bradford, Plymouth Colony Governor for over 30 years, and Edward and Mrs. Fuller and their son Samuel Fuller.

Clarence’s ancestors moved to Connecticut in the late 1600’s and settled in Lebanon, Norwich, and New London. Growing up, he lived in several New England towns, including Lebanon, Windham, and Coventry, Connecticut, and Conway, Massachusetts.

Clarence’s memory of dozens of stories about growing up in New England was superb. He told stories about cutting the ice at his grandfather William’s dairy farm, tying up the horses on Pleasant Street and walking over the footbridge, and his father overhauling the transmission on the Model T right on the edge of the road!

Following his service in the United States Army in World War II, Clarence drove a taxi for Ralph’s Taxi Service. Customers always asked for him because he would carry their groceries to the door. Clarence moved on to a career with the Connecticut Light and Power Company. He served over 40 years, first as a lineman, and later as a supervisor. ‘Hink’ and his team were vital to restoring the power to Connecticut homes after each of the major storms from the late 1940’s to the mid 1980’s.

Beyond Clarence’s ancestry, and his work experience, his life was very much a love story with his wife Muriel Bergeron. They met in 1942 at the Gem Theater in Willimantic and were inseparable for over 75 years. They married in 1946, and had two children, Sharon (Sherry) and Cynthia (Cindy). They raised their children in their red Victorian home, where they lived for over 65 years.

Clarence and Muriel greatly enjoyed traveling. After taking vacations on the Connecticut shore while their children were growing up, they began a series of camper vacations that took them throughout the United States and Canada. He loved the natural beauty of the West. Locally, Clarence and Muriel were often seen browsing at craft fairs, walking around town, and tending their flowers on the veranda. Sundays were devoted to visits to their grandchildren in Massachusetts.

At home, Clarence kept busy in his workshop in the basement. He built models of family homes, birdhouses, and whirligigs from wood and metal. He liked painting and drawing, hooking rugs and caning chairs. He was a craftsman who could fix almost anything.

In 2015 the Hinckley Family held a reunion in Windham in honor of Clarence’s 90th birthday. In attendance were over 110 descendants of Clarence’s grandfather William Hinckley and great uncle Charles Hinckley.

Clarence leaves his daughter Cindy and her husband Jack Bendfeldt of Sherborn, Massachusetts, son-in-law Jim Pellow of Avon, sister Dorothy Rouette of Chaplin, two grandchildren, and eleven nieces and nephews. His granddaughter Ann lives in Tarzana, California, and his granddaughter Jane lives in Somerville, Massachusetts. Clarence was preceded in death by his wife Muriel, his daughter Sherry, and his sisters Betty and Harriett.

Clarence will rest next to his wife Muriel and daughter Sherry in St. Joseph Cemetery, Club Road in Windham, Connecticut in a private service. To send an online expression of sympathy, please visit www.baconfh.com