Clayton R. Hinds

COLEBROOK — Clayton R. Hinds, 56, passed away at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital on Monday, April 2, 2018, with his three favorite girls at his side, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Clay was born on Aug. 16, 1961, in Franklin, NH, the son of Raymond and Priscilla (Burleigh) Hinds. His family moved north to Colebrook and he attended the local schools, graduating from Colebrook Academy in 1979. In 1982, he married Michelle Cote, and from 1982-86, Clay served honorably in the U.S. Army as a tank mechanic and was stationed in Germany. After his military service, they lived in Colorado, where Clay obtained his certification as an aviation mechanic. They later moved to Connecticut where he worked for Pratt & Whitney, and later to Plattsburgh, NY, where he worked for TW Express. Clay and Michelle returned to Colebrook in 1991 and assumed ownership and operation of the Colebrook Country Club from her parents. Clay was active not only in the family business, learning the ins and outs of being an innkeeper/greenskeeper/chef on the job, but also in almost every organization in the region, donating his time and talents to the groups that make the North Country such a unique place to live. He held nearly every office and position within the Colebrook Ski-Bees, including President and Trail Master, and was instrumental in fundraising for many other groups and clubs, including Vershire Center, Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, Kiwanis Club of Colebrook (of which he was a member). He also served as Vice President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, Co-Chair of the Great North Woods Ride-In and Blessing of the Bikes, Austin’s Ride for Cystic Fibrosis, Helping Hands North. He was a member of the initial board and was instrumental in the planning and establishment of the 45th Parallel EMS. He also hosted the first community dinners at the Colebrook Country Club at Christmas. Clay loved to be outdoors grooming trails, and for many years operated as the Nordic trail groomer for The Balsams, a job he truly took pride in. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 35 years, Michelle (Cote) Hinds of Colebrook; his two daughters, Megan and Elizabeth Hinds of Colebrook; his parents, Raymond and Priscilla Hinds of Colebrook; a sister, Cynthia Hinds of North Conway; a brother, Christopher Hinds and wife Patty of Colebrook; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws; and his work family at the Colebrook Country Club. Memorial calling hours will be at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook on Saturday, April 7, 2018, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A graveside interment service with military honors will be held on Sunday, May 6, at 1:30 p.m. in the Colebrook Village Cemetery, to be followed by a celebration of his life at the Colebrook Country Club. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Clay’s name to the Weeks Medical Center Oncology Dept., 173 Middle St., Lancaster, NH 03584. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Clayton R. Hinds

August 16, 1961 - April 2, 2018