Robert C. Hickey, “UB”
…Asst. Football Coach Methuen High, Merrimack College, and Lowell H.S. Baseball Scorekeeper
TEWKSBURY - Robert C. Hickey, age 75, a well-known area college and high school assistant coach, died peacefully on Wednesday morning with his sisters at his side, on February 15, at Lowell General Hospital, following a series of health issues over the last three months.
He was born in Lowell, December 4, 1941, one of five children of the late Francis and Elaine (Barron) Hickey. He was raised on the grounds of Tewksbury Hospital, and had lived the greater part of his life in Tewksbury. He graduated from Tewksbury Memorial High School, where he was recognized as a star multi-sport athlete. He went on to attend the University of Wyoming at Laramie.
He enlisted into the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, and served four years, two of those years in foreign-service posts in Japan and Korea.
Upon honorable discharge from the Air Force, Bob became a plumber at Tewksbury Hospital, and retired after more than forty years of service to the Commonwealth.
Bob loved sports, and combined his love of sports with his love for his nieces and nephews. He travelled throughout New England to attend hockey, baseball, soccer and other sporting events involving his nieces and nephews. He also travelled throughout the U.S. following his nephew’s semi-professional baseball career.
After retirement, his passion for sports led him to become an assistant football coach for the Methuen High School “Rangers,” assistant coach for the Merrimack College “Warriors” football, and statistician and score keeper for the Lowell High School “Red Raiders baseball. He also led the Weigh-Lifting program at Methuen H.S. In his spare time, he played in cribbage and bowling leagues sponsored by Hynes Tavern in Lowell.
He will be long remembered for his gregarious nature, his quick smile, quiet sense of humor, and the warmth and sincerity of his friendship.
He leaves three sisters, Patricia E. Bradanick, L.P.N. of Tewksbury, Mary Lou and her husband Jack LaBossiere of Wilmington, with whom he resided, Kathleen A. Graham of Lowell; many nieces, nephews, and friends throughout the Merrimack Valley; He was predeceased by his dear brother and best friend, Thomas F. Hickey.
Visiting hours Saturday, Feb. 18, from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER. Ph. (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, Feb. 20, at 12:00 Noon at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte. 38) Tewksbury. No funeral procession Monday, please meet at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Methuen H.S. Football Club, c/o Tom Ryan, 1 Ranger Rd., Methuen, MA 01844 or the Lowell High School Baseball Program, 50 Father Morissette Boulevard Lowell, MA 01852 , will be appreciated. tewksburyfuneralhome.com