Charles “Chuck” Hinckley passed away in his home surrounded by loving family on December 2, 2022 at the age of 73. An Upstate NY native, Chuck was born on July 7, 1949 at the Oneida Hospital. He grew up in Earlville with his mother and sister, surrounded by his loving extended family of aunts and uncles. He remained in Upstate NY as a young man where he raised his son and daughter and was an ever-present support to his nieces. Chuck, or Chas as he liked to be called, nurtured deep roots in the community influencing, not only his family, but thousands of music lovers who were entertained at the Earlville Opera House which he co-founded with a small group of friends.
Throughout his life, Chuck was a brilliant woodworker who designed everything from chess sets to homes with creativity, love and passion. When his children became adults, Chuck worked for years on Cape Cod, coming back to Upstate NY many weekends to be with family and friends. During his time in Cape Cod he continued to pour love into his home in Earlville where he found friendship with his long-term renters, Meg Whorley and Kevin Lahey. His lifetime friendship with Will Fisher, Stephen Horne, and Joe Dugan was a great solace to him in his last months during which they spent time with him sharing memories, laughter and warmth.
He was predeceased by his mother Eva Hinkley and his father Howard Hinckley and many aunts and uncles. He is survived by his son Dorne Hinckley, his daughter Bree Ballantyne, his grandsons Starling Rounds and Orion Ballantyne, his sister Patricia Kramer, his nieces Sasha Kramer and Tara Kane, his great nieces Ari Wunderlich and Shamali Frankel, his great nephew Biko Kilbride, his aunt Hilda Giaquinto and his uncle Charles Irwin.
In lieu of flowers please call someone you have not spoken to for a long time and tell them that you love them.