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In memory of

John "Jack" Joseph Hickey

Gulfport, FL, USA

March 9, 1936 - April 9, 2020

Mar 9, 1936 - Apr 9, 2020

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John Joseph Hickey
March 9, 1936 - April 9, 2020

A brilliant man with great wit and an infectious laugh, Jack Hickey was a man of true faith who was able to reconcile his scientific and religious beliefs. He was not a gambling man but took Pascal's wager and is surely now reaping those rewards. As a devote Roman Catholic, Jack found solace in Catholic Doctrine and lived a simple and fulfilling life. He found great joy in his family, his faith, good wine, and debating everyone around him. He saw the beauty of the natural world and enjoyed astronomy, cycling, the beach, sunsets, and driving fast cars. One of the unique ways he expressed his love for people was to tell them that their existence brought him happiness. His existence certainly brought great happiness to those who knew him.

As a young man, Jack worked as a carpenter which enabled him to pay for his college education and instilled in him a love of working with his hands, which continued throughout his life. As an adventurous and deeply independent man, Jack joined the Naval Reserve in 1957 and was called to active duty in the US Navy during the Korean war. After serving as a Machinists Mate Third Class aboard the USS Moale (DD693) he was honorably discharged March 1962 and received the National Defense Service Medal. Throughout his life Jack loved the water and enjoyed canoeing, sailing, and spent many evenings at the beach trying to capture the elusive green flash with his camera.

His fascination with the beauty of the natural world, especially in his travels out West, began his love and fascination with Geology. While living in Arizona in the early 1960’s, he attended the University of Arizona. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geology, with high distinction, in 1962 as a member of Phi Kappa Phi. Jack continued his education at Arizona receiving his Master of Science in Hydrology in 1964.

Having found a career that he loved, Jack joined the US Geological Survey as a Research Hydrologist 1964, where he worked until 1991. Jack had an illustrious career with the USGS, where he authored or co-authored 52 publications and reports and presented 20 papers at national scientific meetings. In 1978 he was awarded the Best Paper of the Year award by the Journal of Ground Water and was elected as a Fellow in the Geological Society of America in 1988. In 1990 Jack was selected as one of only three US Geological Survey Water Resource Division scientists to travel to the Soviet Union to participate in cooperative research with Russian hydrogeologists. From 1993-1994 he was elected as the President of the Southeastern Geological Society. Jack continued to write papers, work as a consultant, and expand his knowledge throughout his life. His fascination with how things worked natural led him to further study physics and advanced mathematics and took great joy in learning new things.

Jack is survived by his brother Tom and sister Peggy, his four children Adrienne, John, Brendan, and Brighid, as well as 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grand children He was preceded in death by his parents Margaret and John, and his brother The Reverend Joseph M Hickey.

Funeral to take place at St John Vianney Catholic Church, 445 82nd Ave, St Pete Beach, FL 33706, at 11am, Tuesday November 24th, with a reception afterwards at Pasadena Yacht & Country Club Clubhouse, 6300 Pasadena Point Blvd S, Gulfport, FL 33707.

Please join us in a celebration of our father’s life. His existence brought us great happiness. RSVP at hickeyja@us.ibm.com

Please note that the wearing of masks and social distancing are required at both the funeral and the reception.

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