Edgar G. Hinton Jr.

Edgar G. Hinton Jr. former Tewksbury firefighter, WWII vet; 86 PETERSHAM Edgar G. "Rocky" Hinton Jr., 86, of Petersham, died on Thursday, October 9, 2008, at Athol Memorial Hospital, following an illness. Born on March 25, 1922 in Norwood, he was a son of Edgar and Alice (Ramsdell) Hinton Sr. He grew up in Tewksbury, graduating from Tewksbury High School in 1940. Rocky enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on July 10, 1942, and served during World War Two where he received the Purple Heart Award. He obtained the rank of Sergeant before his Honorable discharge on December 8, 1945. Rocky was married to Gloria N. (Keller) on September 7, 1947 at St. Paul's Church in Lynn, and traveled to California on their honeymoon. They have enjoyed their 61 years together. He grew up in the family businesses, a gas station and restaurant in Tewksbury and had a fondness for cars. He later got involved in NASCAR racing and raced a stock car. Rocky later became an owner instead of a driver and was always involved in the sport. Rocky was also a builder and constructed many of the places in Tewksbury. He also ran an auto parts store, Tewksbury Sports, and specialized in high performance parts. Active in Tewksbury for numerous years, he served as a fireman and at one time his garage served as a fire station for Engine 2. Rocky loved to travel and he and his family explored many parts of the United States as well as traveling around the globe. When his son, Edgar III was involved in motorcross, the whole family would travel on Sundays to take in the races. Gloria and Rocky moved to Petersham in 1987 where Rocky knew he wanted to "retire". He enjoyed gardening, and being on the Petersham Crime Watch. Survivors include his beloved wife, Gloria Hinton of Petersham; a son, Edgar G. Hinton III, of Milford, MA; daughters, Cheryl DeCarteret of East Templeton, and Robin Hinton of Petersham; grandchildren, Edgar Hinton IV of Milford, Sherry Frost of Peabody, Jason DeCarteret of Marlboro, Trish Shea of Weymouth, Amilyn DeCarteret, Jillena DeCarteret, and Emilee DeCarteret, all of East Templeton, and Kenneth DeCarteret of Plainville; two great-grandchildren, Ellie Frost of Peabody, and Korey Shea of Weymouth. Rocky was predeceased by his sisters, Virginia and Lorraine. HINTON There will be a calling hour on Tuesday morning, October 14, 2008 from 10-11:00 A.M., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 A.M., all at Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main St., Orange. Interment will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon. Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main St., Orange, is directing the arrangements. Guest register and direction are available online at www.wittyfuneralhome.com