William F. Hickey, Jr., 87, of Fairfield, who served in many local and state public offices and was a president of Woodway Country Club, passed away on Thursday, July 21 surrounded by his loving family.
The funeral for William F. Hickey Jr. will be on Aug. 2.
Bill was born in Stamford on May 28, 1929 to the late William F. Hickey and Margaret Dooley Hickey. He attended local schools and graduated from St. Basil’s Preparatory School in 1948, where he played varsity football, baseball, and basketball. In 1952, he graduated from Manhattan College where he was a member of the outstanding golf team.
After graduating in 1955 from Fordham University Law School, he began his private practice of law and an illustrative career in public service. From 1959-1961 he served as a prosecutor in the Stamford City Court. In 1966, he became a partner in the law firm of Ryan, Ryan, and Hickey.
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— an obituary from the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home
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Bill served as interim mayor of Stamford for three months and from 1960-1970 he served five terms in the State Senate in Hartford, which included four years as the assistant Senate majority leader.
He was a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, a member of the New Canaan Board of Finance, and President of the Toga Club. In 1967, he was selected as “Man of the Year” by the Roasters Club and in 1988, he was named “Man of the Year” by Stamford State Street Debating Society. In 1990, he was honored by the Stamford Old Timers’ Athletic Association.
In 1991 Bill was honored by the Board of Trustees of the Ferguson Library for his seven years as a trustee, having served as secretary of the board, chairman of the Pension Committee and a member of the Community Relations, Finance, Long Range Policy, Nominating, and Special Gifts/Endowments/Foundation committees.
His respect and passion for the law ultimately led to an appointment as a Superior Court judge in 1988 by Governor William O’Neill. In 1996, he was appointed administrative judge and served until his retirement in 2012.
A sports enthusiast, Bill always enjoyed watching New York Yankee games, but most especially cheering on the New York Giants.
All who knew Bill, know his first love in life was golf. Bill started as a caddie at Woodway Country Club and went on to become a member spanning some six decades. He was elected president of the club and finally honorary member, being recognized for his leadership, personal achievement, and contributions to the club during that time.
Above all, he valued family and in recent years what brought the biggest smile to his face was spending time with his adoring grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Grace, and three children and their spouses: Sharon Sutton (Carl), David Hickey, and Courtney Lamoin (Kevin) and their four children: Penelope, Oliver, Madeline, and Tucker. Bill was predeceased by his daughter, Heather Hickey.
He is also survived by his sister Rosemary Love (Jack), his brother Kieran (Betty Ann), three nieces Kelli Young (Jon), June Norden (John), and Susan Windle (Ralph) and one nephew Gregory Hickey (Alison). He is also predeceased by his nephew, Christopher Hickey.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Tuesday, August 2 at St. Pius X Church, 834 Brookside Dr., Fairfield. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: The Tully Health Center, c/o Stamford Hospital Foundation, 1351 Washington Blvd., Suite 202, Stamford CT, 06902 and/or the Woodway Country Club Scholarship Fund, c/o The Woodway Country Club, 540 Hoyt St. Darien, CT 06820.
Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home in Fairfield has been entrusted with the arrangements. To send an online condolence, please visit the funeral home website.