Thomas Francis Hinkle

Thomas Francis Hinkle, age 60, of Glen Rock, and later Fair Lawn, New Jersey, passed away in his home on July 17, 2026. 

Thom was known for his caring nature, adventurous spirit, and love of the outdoors. His greatest joy was his two daughters and the time he spent together with them while they grew up. 

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, he was the son of the late Mary A. (Biddle) and the late Louis J. Hinkle, Jr. He graduated from St. Mark’s High School and spent his early years learning the butchery trade from his brother-in-law. He went on to work in real estate and information storage before becoming a stay-at-home father. Later, at his daughters’ suggestion, he took a job at the Bergen County Zoo. 

Thom lived in Manhattan for nearly 10 years before settling in Glen Rock, New Jersey, with his family. He and his daughters enjoyed annual vacations to Clearwater, Florida, and Ocean City, New Jersey. They also traveled to several countries abroad, visiting Canada, New Zealand, the Bahamas, France, the Netherlands, England, and Scotland. 

His daughters, Grace and Cindy, were his pride and joy. Thom spent over 13 years of his life as a stay-at-home father, making them delicious, healthy meals, helping out with school field trips, plays, and projects, and spending endless hours with them and their many pets outside in the field, woods, and lake behind their home. He was always happy to accompany Grace and Cindy, who had both inherited his adventurous nature, on the fastest, tallest water slides and craziest upside-down roller coasters. Thom was extremely kind and caring. His daughters remember his amazing bear hugs, and how he knew exactly how to make you feel better whenever you were sick. 

Thom was an avid skier and loved zipping down the steepest black diamonds –often with Grace and Cindy in tow. He also loved fishing, whether it was in the lake at his house in Glen Rock or on the Gulf Coast of Florida, where he vacationed with his kids. Thom was known for making excellent guacamole, baking “the best” pies, and blending nut milk from scratch for his daughters (and this was before it was trendy). 

Thomas is survived by his daughters, Grace and Cynthia Hinkle; his siblings and their spouses, Bonnie Fantini (Richard), Louis Hinkle III (Genevieve), Michael Hinkle, Steven Hinkle (Robin), Mark Hinkle, Philip Hinkle (Johna Renzi); his nieces and nephews, Kelly, Kimberly (Kevin), Mary Kate (Rob), Michael Jr., Kyle, Steve V., Joseph (Jackie), Rosemary, Kathleen “Katie”, and Ricky (Sandy); and many cousins, friends, and extended family. 

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 29th from 12 P.M. to 1 P.M., with funeral services to begin at 1 P.M. at Mealey Funeral Homes, 2509 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Diabetes Foundation or the Center for Alcohol Policy.