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 John Joseph Hickey Jr., 84
 February 09, 2019
John Joseph Hickey Jr., 84, of Clarksburg, MA, peacefully entered eternal rest on Saturday, February 9, 2019, at North Adams Commons, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in North Adams, MA, on January 22, 1935 to John Joseph Hickey Sr. and Delina Mary (Bachand) Hickey, John was raised and lived most of his live in North Adams. He attended local schools and graduated from the former St. Joseph's High School with the class of 1953. He then graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology in 1955 with a degree in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Carol M. (Parmenter) Hickey, whom he married on May 11, 1963, in St. Roch’s Church in Oxford, MA; his two daughters, Jolie E. Hickey of Vail, CO, and Jennifer Wallace, and her husband Richard of West Columbia, TX; two sons, Jeffrey J. Hickey of Malden, MA, and John J. Hickey III, and his wife Deborah (Doyle) of Derby, KS. He also leaves three grandsons, Richard Wallace III, Carter Wallace, and John (Joey) J. Hickey IV; a step-granddaughter Kayla Fisher; cousins, nieces and nephews, and many close friends. His sister Margaret Cuts The Rope and her husband Clarence are both deceased.
John was a veteran of the US Air Force, and was last employed by the US Postal Service in its North Adams office for over 25 years until his retirement in 2000.
He was a communicant of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church and a member of its Adoration group. John was a longtime active communicant of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church where he held many roles, including Eucharistic Minister and CCD instructor. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Throughout his life, John had many interests including scuba diving, karate, photography, computers and coins.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for John J. Hickey Jr. will be celebrated Saturday, February 16, 2019, at 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will be held in the Spring of 2019 at the Clarksburg Cemetery. Calling hours at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals West Chapels 521 West Main St. North Adams, MA are Friday from 4-7 PM. Memorial donations may be made to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church or the St. Vincent de Paul Conference in care of the funeral home. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.
| Dear Carol, so sorry to hear of your husband's passing. My deepest sympathy. | | from: Elizabeth Ralston | on: 02-16-2019 |
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John, Jennifer, Jeff, Jolie,
I remember your dad was one of those lucky people who had a broad, contagious smile. Fortunately for those around him, he liked to flash it. And when he smiled everyone around him followed suit. Usually there was a story behind that smile. My mother, your grandmother, liked to say that your dad had a gift for gab, but who would know that better than all of you? He was the kind of guy who could talk about anything and make even the most mundane subjects entertaining with an anecdote or two. His stories were as varied as his interests, and I always enjoyed listening to them. Being a quiet guy by nature, I admired him for that.
Speaking of varied interests, I can’t help but mention his karate days. I was in my teenage years then, and when I visited he loved talking about his karate classes and then strike a karate pose—and tell me to hit him. (Ha! I’m laughing now thinking about it which is a wonderful thing at this time!) I was no dummy-or maybe I was—because I knew that if I tried to hit him he would counter punch my then scrawny body and he’d get a good laugh out of it. But I’d try to punch him anyway. Then while I was recovering, he’d ask me to hit him again. Your mom would be in the background saying, “John, stop!” But he’d just laugh and tell me to hit him again…and why not? I’d give him a half-hearted poke, ready to defend myself, and end up the worse for it with another counter punch. Ahh, good times.
I also remember your dad was a rummage sale fanatic for a while, too. He would show me some of the prizes he found at yard sales and such. Amazing stuff that most people would overlook. The saying, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure,” comes to mind. But he had a good audience in me, and we were kindred spirits in that regard. I still love scavenging for a good second-hand bargain when I can find one.
But most of all, I remember him as a good, kind soul. He came into your mom’s life when I was 11 or 12 years old. He was the guy who hung around the box office at the Mohawk Theatre (or was it the Paramount) on Main Street in North Adams not so much to see the shows but to chat it up with the cute girl who sold the tickets. Not long after that, he was the guy who started showing up at the door when we lived on Halls Ground in Clarksburg.
Your dad was always kind to us Parmenter boys. I remember him taking us along to go swimming at Mauserts Pond—when it was supposed to be a date with your mom. And I remember how shy your mom was because it was the first time she was going to wear a bathing suit in front of him. Times were different.
Another time your dad took your Uncle Bob and me on a date with your mom on the 4th of July. He drove us all the way to Charlemont in his black Ford Fairlane to watch a fireworks display. The town must have bought a bad batch of fireworks that year, because I remember Bob and I watching the fireworks over and over again fly upward and waiting for the shower of sparks of color that never came. We began calling them “duds” as we waited for the Boom!! that followed. Before long we started laughing at all the “duds” that night—and your dad laughed the loudest. It was the most memorable night of fireworks that I can recall. It’s funny about the little things we remember.
Well, your dad has a lasting spot in my life and in my heart. I haven’t been able to see him much over the years, but I’ve thought about him often and never without smiling. He’ll be missed. Our hearts are with you through all of this.
Love,
Uncle John, Aunt Wendy, and family | | from: Uncle John | on: 02-14-2019 |
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Carol and family,
Remembering all of his funny stories, gizmos and gadgets at our family gatherings. John and my Dad shared many adventures to Haystack, The Big E, our trip up to Northern VT and Amish Country, PA. He always had a story and a smile. My deepest sympathy for your loss. | | from: Ann-Marie Racine | on: 02-12-2019 |
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| Our sympathies to all the Hickey family. We both worked with John at the P.O. for many years. His legacy is all of you whom he leaves behind. He was a very kind man and he loved you all dearly ♥️🙏 | | from: Susan and Peter Unis | on: 02-12-2019 |
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| My deepest sympathys for your loss, thoughts and prayers for your Mom and you all. It seems like it was just yesterday, many great memories of your Dad and you all in our great neighborhood we all once shared. He always made time for you when going to the postoffice. He always wore a smile, and had great things to say of you all. It was nice to be able to catch up on old friends from the neiborhood & how you all were doing. May he rest in peace and watch over you all in the days ahead. Godbless. | | from: Scott M. McAllister | on: 02-12-2019 |
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