While in Congress, Hinchey was honored by the
Sullivan County Senior Action Council on July 7, 2012.
SAUGERTIES – Maurice Hinchey of Saugerties had a long career fighting
for the people he represented in the State Assembly and later in the House
of Representatives.
Now he is fighting for his life. His family announced Tuesday that he
is suffering from Frontotemporal Degeneration, a neurological disease
with no known cure.
“I was fortunate enough to watch my dad fight for the people that
needed him and his help, sometimes even more than I did. And boy did he
fight, every day, to make sure those people had access to things that
would make their lives even just a little bit better. Now it’s our
turn,” said his daughter, Michelle Hinchey, in a Facebook post.
“Growing up, you believe your parents are going to be around forever;
and if not actually forever, then at least happily into their old age,
enjoying retirement and the fruits of their labor. At least, that’s
what you hope for,” she wrote. “Unfortunately, life often
throws a curveball and many of us don’t get to be that lucky.”
Assemblyman Kevin Cahill of Kingston, who succeeded Hinchey in Albany,
said the former congressman has been “a mentor, an inspiration,
a thought leader and the exemplary public official to whom the rest of
us aspire.”
Cahill said he has been aware of Hinchey’s health challenges. If
by the family going public with his condition “serves the intended
purpose of educating and sensitizing others to the health challenges we
will all eventually face, then once again, Maurice Hinchey is demonstrating
the kind of selfless leadership that has inspired many and made him a
hero to his friends, colleagues and constituents.”
Hinchey served in the State Assembly from 1975 to 1992 and in the House
of Representatives from 1993-2013.
