One would be hard pressed to find a better father, husband, grandfather, father-in-law, uncle, brother, companion—a better man—than Matthew J. Hines III.
Matt, of Centerbrook and formerly Grantham and Swanzey, New Hampshire and Bloomfield passed away at home Jan. 25 after contracting COVID-19. He was 81.
Born in Hartford Dec. 30, 1939, to Helen and Matthew Hines, Jr., Matt grew up in Hartford and Bloomfield, then joined the U.S. Air Force. After serving abroad and returning stateside, following in his father’s footsteps, he pursued a lengthy career at Pratt & Whitney.
In 1961, Matt was happily married to Margaret J. Hines, whom he met at a base dance while stationed at RAF Bovingdon in 1959, located in the county of Hertfordshire, England. What started with a friend kicking Matt under the table to tell him a pretty girl might want to dance with him—and a quick beer to work up the courage to ask—evolved into more than five decades of love and three children. Margaret passed in 2015.
Matt will be remembered always for his calm tenor, his familial dedication, and the pride he held for all of his children, grandchildren, and loved ones.
A man of routine, Matt brought joy to those he interacted with on a daily level at the Post Office, at the bakery, at the Essex Veterans Memorial Hall. It was hard not to smile while in conversation with him. He exemplified what it is to love simply and beautifully, never ceasing in his efforts for those he cared for. He maintained a positive attitude and always found a chuckle, even during moments that proved difficult.
Matt is survived by daughter Amy Hines, her former spouse Chris Egan and their children Matt and Jenna; son Mike Hines, his wife Karen and their children Morgan and Garrett; daughter Joanne Cook, her husband Bob Cook and their children Bobby, Aidan, Katie, and Grace; sister Susan Gail Hines and nieces and nephews Julie Beman, Nancy Beman, Sherm Beman, Marianne Beman Stone, and Kelly Beman Joerg.
He also leaves behind Ruth Mowrey, a dear friend whose company he enjoyed and with whom he created fond memories in his final years.
A private celebration of life will be arranged at the family’s convenience. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends donate to the Essex Ambulance Association in Matt’s memory www.essexems.org/donate.