Kenneth “Ken” Raymond Hickey
Kenneth “Ken” Raymond Hickey was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 6, 2024 at his lake house in Saugatuck, Michigan.
Ken was born on the southside of Chicago to Lillian and James Hickey on August 8,1939. He was raised by his single mother as his father James died just before his 6th birthday. He had 4 siblings Helen, Gert, Jimmy and Danny. Ken attended St. Columbanus School from kindergarten through 8th grade. He went on to Chicago Vocational School where he received a high school diploma along with his certification in aircraft maintenance. He served in the U.S. Army with 2 years in active service and 6 years in the reserves.
Ken had a long and successful career in aviation that spanned over 40 years. He worked for Capital Airlines, Trans World Airlines (TWA) and American Airlines in the roles of mechanic, systems lead and finally, maintenance manager. He was named the employee of the year for TWA in 1984 for designing a critical piece of maintenance equipment.
Ken met the love of his life Nancy while working at a grocery store in Chicago. They married in September 1963 and raised their family in Dolton and Homer Glen. He was a proud family man who loved to brag about his 4 daughters (Susan, Patty, Kathy & Julie), 3 sons-in-law (Mark, Doug & Frank) and 7 grandchildren (Elizabeth, Chrissy, Grace, Samantha, Jack, Sophie & Michael).
Ken was a man of many hobbies including running, boating, gardening, golfing, bird watching and, of course, fishing. He had a lifelong love of learning as he was an avid reader and music lover. He shared his love of travel with his family using his airline passes to visit many of the national parks and historic sites throughout the country. He worked for his commercial pilot’s license and was a co-owner of a small aircraft for many years. He was a die-hard Bears fan and loved watching hours of football every fall. It goes without saying that Ken lived his life to the fullest and he will be missed greatly.
Ken leaves behind his wife Nancy (nee Manella), his children Susan Wyckoff (Mark), Patricia Morrissey (Douglas), Kathleen Hickey & Julie Meyers (Frank), his grandchildren Elizabeth, Christina & Michael Wyckoff, Grace & Sophia Morrissey and Samantha & Jack Meyers, his sister Mary Gertrude Smeltzer, brother-in-law Thomas Manella (Marcia) and 7 nieces & a nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents James & Lillian (nee Bond) Hickey, his siblings and in-laws Helen & Perry Johnson, Harry Smeltzer, James & Betty Hickey, Daniel Hickey and Carmen & Ida Manella.
Visitation for Ken will be held on Thursday, July 11th from 4-8 pm at Hallowell & James Funeral Home at 1025 W. 55th Street, Countryside, Illinois. The funeral chapel prayers will begin on Friday, July 12th at 9:30 am at Hallowell & James, followed by a 10:00 am funeral mass at St Cletus Church, 600 W. 55th Street, La Grange, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wounded Warrior Project are greatly appreciated. Funeral info: 708-352-6500
Julie & Frank,
With our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Our love & prayers…..🙏
-Jim & Mary Jane Farnsworth
So sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. Hickey. He leaves behind a wonderful wife and 4 great daughters along with wonderful sons-in-law and grand-children. What a great family and an even greater legacy. There are not many families better than the Hickey’s.
We will sorely miss our lifetime friend.
Jim and Janice Walsh
Your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
He was a lovely person. I remember him from when he lived in Dalton, he was one of the” Dalton club” the group my parents were very close to. Went on vacations with.
So very sorry for your family’s loss.
My Uncle was truly a remarkable Uncle to me and the rest of the cousins. He was always there to help us when we called him. He understand all his siblings, including my mom, who still lives. He was the glue of the Hickey family and sharp on the heritage.
He took me for my first convertible ride as a small girl and ever since, convertibles are the only car I will own. Since he reminded me ,always, we were only 12 years apart in age, he was closer to my age than to any of his older siblings. As a child I always wanted to see him cause he would give us all the found magazines left over on the airplanes or he would give us plane rides in his
aircraft. When I ran into him coincidently at O’Hara , he would ask “where are you going” and take me to the gate and get me upgraded as well as introduce me to his co-workers. I was always proud of what he accomplished in his career.
He came and was proud of coming from a patriotic family, where all the men served and even his in-laws. When his sisters were dating service men during WW11, he and his brother Danny would always hide their hats in the home, and the service men could not leave till they found their hats because they had to be in full uniform.
He welcomed all the children in the neighborhood that did not have both parents living with them into his home, because he did understand what it was like not having a father. And, of course we, the cousins, loved who he married, Aunt Nancy.
He lived at a time when the whole family, regardless of the age of the children took responsibility for the caring for the whole family. He grew up learning and showing the values that are so important for family life. He signed his birthday cards always to his sister as YOUR LITTLE BROTHER, even up to the age of 83.
Your family write up of my Uncle Kenny is so HIM. I will miss him and the ability to lean on him always. Love to all of Uncle Kenny’s family and peace knowing he had a great life and made other’s lives even greater. Love, Carolyn
Condolences and prayers to the whole family! You are so lucky to have known and loved and be loved!
Uncle Ken was a wonderful, funny, and loving man. He positively impacted the lives of so many and I have no doubt that his spirit will continue to do so for a very long time. He brought a smile to everyone’s face and a chuckle to his own. The sky was his passion and his pioneering spirit sprang joy and hope in the hearts of us all. I’ll always remember being a small child and going for a ride with him and my mom (his sister) as he piloted his plane. What an adventure! It is with a heavy heart that I accept that he has left this earth. That sorrow is mitigated by the knowledge that he led a very happy life. My deepest condolences to Aunt Nancy, and all of his children and grandchildren.
What a wonderful tribute Maureen
I’m so sorry for your loss, Ken was a great man and a lovely person. Ken and his family will be in our prayers.
We were neighbors for many years. Our girls grew up together. We took day trips and vacations together with other wonderful families. I will always remember Ken and his girls. Even the dog was female. You were a good man, a good neighbor and a strong person to live with all those girls. Daddies are always special to their daughters. Rest in peace old friend. My love and deepest sympathy to all of you.
What a wonderful man and what a sad loss for all who knew him. Deepest condolences to you and your whole family. Ken was a kind and gentle soul and we were lucky to meet him.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Guy and Cheryl Alton, your Saugatuck neighbors at 117
I’m so sorry to hear this but at least he wasn’t sick he enjoyed his life and did what he enjoyed . He loved his girls so much and his grandchildren and of course his wife Nancy . I know that he will be missed by all and of course Tom and I will miss him very much although we haven’t seen them in awhile loved reading about them on Facebook. Goodbye friend and neighbor Ken Hickey God has called you home. Tom just lost a brother Ted and he was ill for some time he left us the day before Mother’s Day he left his wife LaVerne and and his boys Todd and Brent their wives and three lovely granddaughters so we know the sorrow of losing a loved family member. Nancy and the family please accept our condolences and heartfelt sympathy and prayers love to all Tom and Teena Lewandowski
I will truly miss my Uncle Kenny, he was the rock of the Hickey clan. He was 18 years older than me, so as a kid to me, my siblings and cousins he was always the “cool uncle”. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a true family man. He will be missed by so many.
I remember my first plane ride with Uncle Kenny in his two seater plane. I was probably 7 or 8 years old and so thrilled. I had written a note and rubber-band it to a good size rock for my friend below … he fly over her house so I could toss it out the window. Years later… I thought boy that could have hurt someone if they got hit on the head!
Rest in peace my dear beloved Uncle Kenny, memories of you will forever be cherished.
With love your niece Mary
Our deepest sympathy Nancy
We will always remember cousin Ken as as a loving and caring Gentle ma man who loved his family dearly and and was curious about anything to do with nature . A true Irishman he was.
God bless you dear Nancy. As we remember you and your quiet beauty and being the gracious person you are.
Jean and LaVerne