Raymond C. Hinds, Jr.

COLEBROOK – Raymond C. Hinds, Jr., 86, of Colebrook, passed away surrounded by his family at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, after a period of declining health. He was born on April 20, 1933, in Laconia, NH, a son to the late Raymond C. and Evelyn (Melanson) Hinds, Sr. He grew up in the Lisbon and Littleton area and later served with honor in the U.S. Navy as a Gunner’s Mate, 1st Class, during the Korean conflict. After his service, he married Priscilla Burleigh and they started their family in Franklin, NH, in 1953. For many years, Ray searched for his vocational passion, and during that time worked as a lumberjack, a stonecutter, a well-driller, and he finally became an electric lineman. In 1972, he moved his family to Colebrook and he began a 30-year career with the NH Electric Co-op, retiring in 1995. He then kept himself very busy starting a small business making canoes called Parmachenee Canoe Co. It was under that name that he built canoes for the annual Kiwanis canoe raffle. Ray was a true outdoorsman who spent his spare time horseback riding, fly-fishing, camping, shooting, sailing, gardening, practicing archery and canoeing. He was also an avid reader, and as a result, was a skilled self-taught craftsman. He enjoyed working with his hands and found solace in fly-tying, ammunition reloading, woodworking, and building his canoes and kayaks. He often shared these hobbies with his children and grandchildren. Ray was happiest to spend a day on Lake Umbagog fishing, sailing, and camping. He was also a gifted storyteller, and his tales brought forth visions of hard work, determination and clever ideas to any who had the privilege to hear them. Over the years, almost everyone who met Ray had the pleasure of hearing these stories of his life and were touched by his warm personality and his zest for life. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Priscilla (Burleigh) Hinds of Colebrook; his son, Christopher (Patty) Hinds of Colebrook; a daughter, Cynthia Hinds of Center Conway; his daughter-in-law, Michelle Hinds of Colebrook; five grandchildren, Calvin Hinds of Clarksville, Katie Hinds of Colebrook, Megan Hinds and Elizabeth Turkington of Park City, UT, and Marcie Bagley of Conway; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Barbara Subocz of Manchester. He is predeceased by his son, Clayton Hinds, in 2018, and by a brother, Angus MacIver. There are no public calling hours scheduled. A private graveside service will be held in the spring of 2020. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Hinds may be made to the Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, c/o R. Mulliken, 53 Spring St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Raymond C. Hinds, Jr.

April 20, 1933 - December 6, 2019