Maurice Hinton; electrician, mentor

IF A YOUNG MAN asked Maurice Hinton for a handout, he would say, "I won't give you money but I'll give you a day's work."

The result was that a number of young men from his North Philadelphia community, some jobless and facing a bleak future, got a chance to learn a trade and discover that there could be a better life ahead.

Maurice Aaron Hinton, who ran his own electrical business for 20 years and was a mentor to the youth of his neighborhood, died Saturday of complicationsfrom a stroke. He was 49.

He was certainly an ideal role model for young people who learned the value of hard work from him. He would rise at 4 in the morning, work until dinner time, go home to be with his family, then go out and work at night.

"He was a daily 6 a.m.-to-9 p.m. grind type of guy," said his wife, Sheila Moffitt-Hinton.

Not all of the young men who went to work with him made it.

"Some just didn't have his work ethic," his wife said. "But he wanted to give them a chance. Some went on to become licensed electricians.

"He taught them them how to make an honest dollar with just their two hands and a few basic tools."

Maurice was a fun guy to be with. He had a sharp sense of humor and ability to see the fun in even the most dire circumstances.

"He had a lot of quick one-liners," his wife said. "His sense of humor was uncanny."

He was also a star at the barbecue.

"If he knew you were alone on a weekend, he would invite you over and you wouldn't be alone anymore," his wife said. "He always said there was room for one more."

Maurice was born in Albany, Ga., to Matthew and Catherine Hinton. He spent much of his formative years on the go because his father was a career soldier and the family followed him to each assignment.

His teenage years were spent in Suitland, Md., where he graduated from Central Senior High School.

He came to Philadelphia in 1981 and graduated from the Delaware Valley Technical School as a certified electrician. He married Shelia Moffitt in 1985.

After working for several local contractors, Maurice launched his own electrical business.

"He managed to add a little light to the homes and businesses of many Philadelphians from all walks of life," Sheila said. "His motto was, 'No job is too small or too big for The Electrician.' "

He also is survived by a daughter, Athena, who is about to start at Michigan State University; his parents, and a sister, Sandra.

Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday at National Temple Baptist Church, 1628 W. Master St. Friends may call at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Michigan State University Educational Fund, Office of Financial Aid, 252 Student Service Building, East Lansing, Mich., 48824-113, Attn: PID: A40323159. *