John K. Hickey

Dr. John K. Hickey of East Hills, NY, passed away on February 19, 2024. John was a man of character, a loving husband, father and grandfather and devoted his life to serving others. John had battled numerous illnesses from his time spent counseling survivors after the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001, but, true to his spirit, ultimately passed of old age at 91. Always saying “something else will get me first” upon every diagnosis, his bravery and enduring drive to help others kept him active in his later years— most notably as he became a paramedic at the age of 75. John’s love of community, adventure and the outdoors were evident in his earliest years. Born to parents Paulina Hamman and Kenneth Hickey in West Hempstead in 1933, he enjoyed running around the local parks and farms. He worked odd jobs as a teen to make ends meet, learning everything from farming to road maintenance. He often remarked that his high school ring rests somewhere beneath Maple Avenue in West Hempstead. Always an academic, John studied hard and secured a nomination to the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. During a large storm on the Winter North Atlantic, John broke his neck working one of the engine order telegraphs on the SS United States - a prized possession he secured at auction years later. Pivoting to other ways to serve, John became a clinical social worker and was active in community service organizations that focused on youth. After graduating from Columbia University he obtained his Doctorate of Social Work from Adelphi University and worked tirelessly to serve Nassau County. He drafted the county’s first Mental Health Disaster Plan and was ultimately appointed the Deputy Commissioner of Mental Health for Nassau County. John met the love of his life and married Barbara Slezak of Queens Village in 1969. Together they had two girls, Beth and Kerry Ann and spent their time focused on family and friends. John loved spending time in the Adirondack Mountains, West Point and anywhere on the water. John loved adventure, but good friends know of his appreciation of the small things in life - a sunrise, classical music, a glass of scotch and a roaring fire in the fireplace. He is preceded in death by his wife Barbara and sister Evelyn. He is survived by his daughters, Beth Ponce Schwartz (Eric) and Kerry Ann Watkins (Ron). He leaves behind four grandchildren, Jacob Robert, Sophia Elise, Elsa Karalina, and Andrew John. He will be dearly missed by his large extended family, friends and all he served.

Donations in memory of Lt. Col., Dr. John K. Hickey may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or Wounded Warrior Project.