John C. Hinchliffe Jr.'s Obituary
John C. Hinchliffe, Jr., of Stafford Springs, CT, died Friday March 31, 2017 after a brief illness. He was born in New Britain, CT on August 3, 1948 to John and Ethel (Kosswig) Hinchliffe. He was a graduate of New Britain High school’s class of 1966 and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. John enlisted in the Army in 1969 and served in Vietnam where he earned several medals including a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1974 and moved to Stafford Springs in 1976. John sold insurance for New York Life for many years before getting his Master of Education degree from Eastern Connecticut State University. He taught science and ran the planetarium for Enrico Fermi High School in Enfield, CT until his retirement several years ago. John had a beautiful singing voice and was a soloist for churches in New Britain and Columbus, GA. He was a former member of the Columbus Choir Guild and very active with the New Britain Opera Association for many years. John was very active in his local community. He was a former Town Selectman and Republican Town Committee Chairman. John was also active with the Stafford Softball Association, Stafford Ambulance Association, Community Chorus, and many veterans’ organizations including the VFW, American Legion, DAV, and AMVETS. John is survived by his daughter, Amelia Hinchliffe and her husband Carl Mercier of Willington, CT; his daughter, Angela Clarke of Brooklyn, CT; his daughter, Charothy Hendrick of Natick, MA; his grandchildren, Carl John Mercier, Paul Mercier, Eric Mercier, Madeleine Mercier, Leighelle Clarke, Abigail Hendrick, and Eleanor Hinchliffe; his brother, David Hinchliffe of Apache Junction, AZ; his former spouse, Kathleen Hinchliffe of Enfield, CT; and four nieces and a nephew. He was pre-deceased by his son, Geoffrey B. Hinchliffe; a granddaughter, Josephine Hendrick; and a sister, Diane Dufour. Calling hours will held on Friday, April 7, 2017 from 5 to 8 P.M. at Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main St., Stafford Springs, CT. His memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 11 A.M. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 104 West Main St., Stafford Springs, CT. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to the Ethel Hinchliffe Scholarship Award, Association of School Nurses of Connecticut (ASNC), 101 Oak St. Hartford, CT 06106. For online condolences or directions, please visit: www.introvignefuneralhome.com
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