Michael “Mike” Layton Hinchey of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, Michigan passed away on March 10, 2022, after a long battle with COPD. He was born on June 4, 1948, at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Kittery, Maine. He was the second oldest of 6 siblings born to Jack and Russell Hinchey.  He was a generous, sensitive and compassionate child, loved deeply by his parents and siblings.  

Mike graduated from Cheverus High School in Portland, Maine, and from Empire State College in New York with a B.S. in metallurgy. After college, he worked as a welder for General Electric in its nuclear power plants, a career cut short by the demise of the nuclear power industry in the late 1980s.

Michael was profoundly troubled by the social, economic, and racial injustices he saw in the world, and as a young adult was active in political movements he believed would make this a better world for everyone.  Mike had lifelong passions for rock ’n’ roll and baseball. His knowledge of early rock ’n’ roll was encyclopedic and he followed baseball faithfully, eventually becoming a fan of the Detroit Tigers after moving to Ann Arbor in 1991. Mike made his living in later years doing odd jobs in Ann Arbor, and spent some time as a street performer there, sometimes playing harmonica with the itinerant blues musician Shakey Jake. 

In addition to COPD Mike struggled with alcoholism, resulting in difficult and estranged relations with both family and friends. He was also extraordinarily intelligent, charming, and open-hearted, inspiring the devotion not just of friends and family but even of his caretakers. His spirit and soulfulness will be deeply missed.

Michael is survived by brothers John Hinchey, Robert Hinchey and Patrick Hinchey, sisters Mary MacNamee and Anne O’Flaherty, son Matthew Hinchey and daughter Jasmine Kramer. 

Mike’s family is planning a private memorial. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to one of the following charities:

Alcohol Justice: Alcohol Justice, the industry watchdog, promotes evidence-based public health policies and organizes campaigns with diverse communities and youth against alcohol and other drug industries’ harmful practices. alcoholjustice.org

 ProMedica Hospice Memorial Fund: Thanks to the generosity of thousands, the ProMedica Hospice Memorial Fund has made more than 5,000 grants easing the financial burdens that terminal illness sometimes creates for patients, families, and loved ones. The grants have been used to help pay household bills and costs incurred for travel, and made it possible for children to attend grief camps. giving.promedica.org/hospice

3 Up 3 Down: The 3 Up 3 Down Organization is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), designed to promote, foster, and support the game of baseball to youth and others within our community.  The organization through its members and stewards shall support the promotion, facilitation, and education of the game. The organization is also determined to help support individuals with developmental disabilities, individuals that may not have the ability to participate or enjoy this game quite as readily or as easily as their typical peers. 3up3down.org