1924 – 2016

WILTON — Lt. Col. (Ret.) USAF Aurelius Stone Hinds II, 92, passed away peacefully at his farm Sunday, Nov. 6.

He was born May 9, 1924, in Portland, son of Charles Benjamin and Augusta (Wadsworth) Hinds and grandson of A.S. Hinds, founder of Hinds Honey and Almond Cream. He was a graduate of Bowdoin College and served in World War II as a bombardier in the U.S. Air Force European Theatre 448th Bomb Group 2nd Air Division. He married Norma L. Smith on Nov. 22, 1952, at the Bates Chapel in Lewiston, and was happily married for 55 years. He worked as a senior buyer for Sperry Flight Systems in Phoenix, Ariz., and upon retirement returned to Maine, to enjoy his lifelong dream of living on a farm, later named by him “Windridge Farm.”

Known as “Larry,” to all of his family and friends, he enjoyed hiking the Grand Canyon, snow skiing and spending time with his family. As an Eagle Scout, he learned trail craft and there was nothing more wonderful to his children than nature walks with him in the Maine woods or the Arizona desert. He was one of the pioneers of snowmobiling in the Rangeley Lakes Region and spent summers on Mooselookmeguntic Lake, taking his children and grandchildren fishing, waterskiing, tubing and hiking up Bald Mountain. Larry also took tremendous pleasure in showing and breeding his champion Arabian horses. His dogs and cats, horses and donkey were all members of the family and he was the Pack Leader. He was a gentle and kind, devoted father, grandfather “Grap” and great-grandfather. A true gentlemen in every sense.

A philanthropist at heart, Larry and his family endowed and supported Camp William Hinds, a Boy Scout camp that still stands in memory of his beloved brother. Another act of his philanthropy was the gift of land to the city of Cartersville, Ga., and his endeavors and support of the Wilton Public Library. Larry was also dedicated to serving his community through a lifelong membership of the Masonic Lodge in West Hartford, Conn., Payson, Ariz., and Wilton.

He was predeceased by his wife Norma Hinds, in 2008. He is survived by his wife Judith, a longtime friend; children, Hilary Hinds, Paula Ellen Hinds and Aurelius S. Hinds III; grandchildren, Timothy Koranda, Elizabeth Estacio, Morgan Powell, Ryan German, Brenda Hinds, Kathryn Hinds Fuhriman and Jennifer Hinds; and great-grandchildren, Emma Clark, Christian Aurelius Estacio, Camden Stone Estacio, Marcelo Stone Koranda, Bryce McDonald, Garrett McDonald, Rowan Hiscock, Aiden Hiscock and Noelle Fuhriman.

Condolences and tributes may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.