John Albert Hinchman, Sr., age 79, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley, Washington.
John was born to Emma Wright and George Hinchman on May 19, 1929 in Haines, Alaska. John’s Tlingit name, GOOCH SHAAY,’ was Eagle, Chookeneidi from Xaat Hit Ice House,
John has been a resident of Sedro-Woolley for the past 29 years and formerly had resided in La Conner. He was a retired Highliner Commercial Fisherman in Alaskan and Washington waters and Owner and Captain of the F/V ‘Johnny A.’ He and his wife Pauline are also owners of the Sedro-Woolley Bowling Center.
John was a lifetime member of ANB Camp 12 and a past city council member of Hoonah, AK. He was a Sealaska and Hoonah Totem Corporation Shareholder and a former member of the Hoonah Totem Board of Directors. He was active in the Moose Club in Mount Vernon and the American Legion in Sedro-Woolley. He coached the ANB Basketball Team and was inducted into the Gold Medal Hall of Fame in Juneau, AK.
John’s greatest joy in retirement was spending time at the casinos and traveling with Pauline and seeing his grandchildren.
John is survived by his wife of 32 years, who were married October 1, 1976 in Mount Vernon, Pauline Hinchman of Sedro-Woolley. 2 sons, Jerald Hinchman and his wife Natalia and Andy Gray and his wife Tesh all of Hoonah, AK. 6 daughters, Karen Hinchman, Jean Hill and her husband Vern, Sandra Gonzolas all of Hoonah, AK, Pam Bogda and her husband David of Juneau, AK, Joanne McKibbin and her companion Jerry Spaulding of Sedro-Woolley and Georgina Eastman of Portland, OR. 2 step-sons, Dr. Bill Pfeifer and his wife Mary of Ketchikan, AK and August Pfeifer and his companion Olivia of La Conner and a step-daughter, Dani Lou Pfeifer of La Conner.
3 brothers, George Martin and his wife Tina of Hoonah, AK, Philip Martin and his wife Yvonne of Juneau, AK and Sam Martin and his wife Roggny of Sitka, AK. 4 sisters, Louise Benson of North Seattle, Marlene Johnson and her husband Dave of Seattle, and Alice Cooper and Jennie Baldwin both of Sitka, AK. Numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and many friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Alice, a son John Jr. and a step-son, Nick Pfeifer.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 1:00PM at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley with interment to follow at Hawthorne Memorial Park in Mount Vernon. A reception will follow the services at the Sedro-Woolley Community Center at 703 Pacific St. Visitation is available from Wednesday thru Friday from 9AM to 5PM and prior to the service on Saturday at Lemley Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association or to The Greenewald Scholarship Fund at Hoonah Heritage Foundation 9301 Glacier Hwy Juneau, AK 99801 or to the ANB Camp 12 c/o Mike See, President PO Box 253 Hoonah, AK 99829.

To view the webcast of the service click here.