James Luke Hinckley, 86, passed away Jan. 27, 2026. A lifelong resident of New Jersey, he was born in Jersey City, married and started a family in Hasbrouck Heights, and lived in Middletown and Lincroft for the past 50 years.
Jim leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years, Elaine (née Espinosa) Hinckley, son Andrew Hinckley and daughter-in-law Kimberly Graziano of Chalfont, Pennsylvania, and daughter Elizabeth Hinckley, as well as many loving family members and friends.
Jim was a kind, loving and supremely friendly man who loved being around people. He was a graduate of Rutgers University and worked as a banker and later as an executive recruiter until retiring two years ago. He believed in service to others and, throughout his life, was continuously involved in numerous civic and service organizations.
He was a member of The Order of DeMolay in his youth (earning its highest honor, the Chevalier), through which he made lifelong friends. Through DeMolay’s association with The Order of Rainbow for Girls and a little bit of group matchmaking, he met and married Elaine and became a devoted father to Andrew and Elizabeth.
Jim served as a Hasbrouck Heights councilman for three years in the 1970s. After moving to Middletown in 1977, he continued public service by serving as vice chairman of the planning board, chairman of the Sewage Authority and chairman of the zoning board for 48 years. He was active with Boy and Girl Scouts and Middletown South band parents, and was a friendly and loving “extra dad” to his children’s many church, school and Scout friends.
Jim was very proud of his Irish heritage and served on the New York City St. Patrick’s Day committee for 30-plus years, and was a member of The Ancient Order of Hibernians, where he was honored as Man of the Year in 2021. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the men’s group of Holy Cross Church.
Jim was a lifelong man of faith. He was active in the Methodist and Lutheran churches before finding a spiritual home in Roman Catholicism. He was an active member of Holy Cross in Rumson for the past 30 years.
Visitation was held Feb. 3 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Feb. 4 at Holy Cross Church, Rumson. Entombment followed at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.
The article originally appeared in the February 12 – 18, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
