Harry F. Hinkle, Jr.

Eastham – January 31, 2024, at the age of 77, Harry F. Hinkle, Jr. suffered a heart attack and died while visiting friends in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Harry was a 30-year career United States Marine with much combat time including three consecutive tours in Vietnam, and most recently a crusade to distribute satellite imagery equipment to troops in the field in Saudi Arabia. After his active-duty retirement (1997), he worked as a consultant for a government contractor that sold satellite imagery, traveling all over the world. When he finally retired again in 2008, he became the assistant wrestling coach at Nauset High until 2015.

Harry loved football, wrestling, and baseball, so in 2015 he committed to hosting an Orleans Firebird. The first player was left-handed starting pitcher Eric Lauer, who is now a Milwaukee Brewer. Four more players were hosted through 2018.

The last few years, Harry has been traveling to Costa Rica a few times each year to relive his combat years with fellow Marines who live in San Jose. He also loved to fish and boat and spent time in Dania Beach, FL where his friend owned a trawler, and he could play “boat captain.”

Harry is survived by his wife of 40 years, Kyle Hinkle, his son Andrew Hinkle and his wife Irma of Virginia Beach, VA, and his daughter Kelly Murray and her two children Katherine and Erik of Midlothian, VA.

A celebration of life is being planned for early spring. He will be buried with honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA at a later date. Donations in his memory can be made to Nauset Warriors Booster Club and the Orleans Firebirds.