April 9, 1913 -- Dec. 11, 2003

Thomas Louis Hickey, 90, of East Colfax Avenue, and Magician Lake, Sister Lakes, Mich., died Thursday evening in Hospice House.

Tom was born April 9, 1913 in South Bend, Ind., to Thomas L. Sr., and Katherine (Hiss) Hickey and was the oldest of 8 children raised on St. Vincent Street.

On April 19, 1941, in St. Patrick's Church, South Bend, he married his loving wife of 62 years, Virginia Belle Kline, who survives along with their five children, Carolyn (James) Hatcher of Wheaton, Ill., Nancy Sarah Hickey of Mishawaka and Margaret "Peggy" Hickey, Thomas L. (Sue Ellen) Hickey III, Terrence (Gail) Hickey, all of South Bend; eight grandchildren, Susan (Hank) Anderson, Sally (Jon) Dingle, Ryan Thomas, Jenna Carroll and Blake Thomas Hickey, Lauren, Cullen and Meghann Hickey; three great-grandchildren, Kayla, Olivia and James; a sister, Patricia (Gerald) Sarb of Dearborn, Mich.; and two brothers, John Patrick (Mary) Hickey of Dover, Mass., and Joseph Edward (Mary) Hickey of South Bend.

Three brothers, Don, Jerry and Louis, and a sister, Kathleen Arnt preceded him in death.

He was a graduate of South Bend Central High School and a member of University of Notre Dame class of 1935. After graduating from the Indiana Mortuary School, he and his brother, Louis opened their first funeral home in October 1937 on the corner of Lincolnway West and William Street. They operated this location until Tom Hickey Sr., President of Hickey Construction Company, constructed a new facility in the 2700 block of Lincolnway West in 1960 to meet the needs of the expanding business.

The Lincolnway West facility remained until 1978, during which a second chapel opened on East Jefferson Blvd. In 1970. The East Jefferson location remains, as well as the Cleveland Road Chapel, which opened in December 1987. His son Thomas L. III joined him in 1977 and continues the tradition that he started 67 years ago.

He was a member of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association and served as past district director. He was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge 235, member of the South Bend Rotary Club since 1968, St. Joseph Parish and former member of Morris Park Country Club.

His passions included summers at "Uncle Tom's Cabin" at Magician Lake and winters in Sarasota, Fla. Dad cherished the 48 years at the family home on East Colfax where he and Mom raised five children and was known for daily "walks" in a neighborhood he thoroughly enjoyed. He was one of the best storytellers, who shared many memories of growing up and living next door to the Rockne Family. His father, Tom Hickey Sr. was godfather to Knute Rockne.

He dedicated his life to his family and to his profession in providing compassionate service to every family he helped in their time of loss. His deep faith, sense of humor and warm smile will be missed.

The Hickey family wish to extend our many thanks to all of Dad's wonderful caregivers and nurses especially, Debbie, Charlie, Dale and Denise, K.A.R.E. Services, Visiting Nurses Association, the staff of 7-South and the pain team at Memorial Hospital, and to Drs. Mokfi and Patel and their assistants. We especially thank the angels of Hospice House for their compassionate care of Dad. We were truly blessed to have him in their capable, loving hands.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 15, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Bend (Hill and LaSalle Streets). Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger.

Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the Hickey Funeral Home, 17131 Cleveland Road 289-1000, where a rosary will be said at 4:30 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637 or to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 226 N. Hill St., South Bend, IN 46617.

...may God rest him well.