Obituary of John Joseph Hickey

June 22, 1954 - December 27, 2023

The family of John Joseph Hickey, 69, of Summerville, New Brunswick announces his sudden passing on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.

He was born in Saint John in 1954 to Chuck and Dot (Buckley) Hickey, one of eleven siblings in the household.  He attended Simonds High School before studying carpentry at NBCC and UNB Fredericton.  This skill and licensed trade allowed him to do much in life including working on his family homestead.  That he continuously improved and expanded to make room for everyone he loved and a space for the community to workout at the “Cross-Fit John Hickey” gym, right up until his death. 

John met the love of his life, Nancy Merzetti in 1979.  Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married in Saint John in September 1984. Together they raised 5 children: Meaghan (Luke) Hare, Amanda (Willie Ash), Courtney (Brad) Blagden, Emily (Wayne) MacFarland, Charles (Elyse), and a very special nephew, Shaunie Boy (Shaun Hickey), each representing a mix of John and Nancy's strongest qualities of kindness, family, loyalty, stubbornness, and hard work.

After raising his own children – he needed no time at all to perfect being a Grampy.  He was made for this.  There was nothing more special to him than his time spent with Lilah, Macey, Levi, Fletcher, Everett, Drew, Sam, Ruby, Aurora (Rory), Morris, Darrah (Dede), Mack, Mary, Sophie, and Remi. 

John found success in business, co-founding ICR General Contractors, and was known as an accomplished athlete as a formidable boxer, marathoner, Cross-Fitter, and an integral member of the River Valley Orthodox Softball League.  However, nothing compared to time spent with his family and friends, whether it be Friday lunch at O’Leary’s or the annual Wugga Wugga fishing trip.  John showed so much loyalty to and took so much pride in those closest to him, often behind your back and only sometimes to your face.

John was preceded in death by his parents Charles (1978) and Dorothy (2017) and nephews Thomas (1991) and Aaron (1994), and is survived by wife, Nancy, his 5 children, 15 grandchildren, siblings Suzanne, Kit (John), Chuck (Anne), Mike (Linda), Bill (Wendy), Dick (Mo), Jim (Jackie), Frank (Christine), Tim (Kelly), and Margie.  As well as aunts, cousins, in-laws, many friends while also being Uncle John to 75 nephews, nieces, great nephews, and great nieces.  He will be missed by all, including his puppy Skye, who he bought for Nancy but was clearly his girl.

In true John fashion, visitation will take place Monday, January 1 and Tuesday, January 2, 2024 from 2-8pm, at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (506-634-7424) and a Mass of Christian Burial will take place Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 12:10pm at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 91 Waterloo Street.  A reception will follow at 1922 Route 845, Summerville.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Craig Barnett Memorial Scholarship c/o Hampton High School, 34 Elizabeth Avenue, Hampton, NB (506-832-6024).