Mr. Paul J. Hickey

Paul Joseph Hickey, 87, native of Great Barrington, died Wednesday at his home in Lenox. Born October 19, 1936, the son of James Daniel Hickey and Leona Catherine Healey, he attended local schools and was a 1954 graduate of Searles High School in Great Barrington. After receiving his BA degree from Holy Cross College in Worcester, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving from 1958 until his Honorable Discharge in 1960. Paul and his wife, Maureen Jane Johnson, met in Boston, MA where they were both working, and were married in Maureen's home town of Goshen, IN on June 29, 1963. They moved to Wayland, MA, a suburb of Boston, to raise their four children while Paul worked for Hillenbrand Industries, and then returned to Great Barrington in 1979 to assume leadership as the fourth generation owner of his family's funeral business. He was a life-long communicant of St. Peter's Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. As the grandson of Irish immigrants who settled on a farm in New Marlborough, MA (Hickey Hill) in the late 1800's, Paul was dedicated to preserving the history of his hometown and to serving his community. He was a member and past President of the Great Barrington Rotary Club as well as a past President of the Great Barrington Historical Society. He enjoyed playing golf and tennis and had belonged to Wyantenuck Country Club and Stockbridge Country Club. Paul and Maureen traveled extensively in their retirement, making trips to places such as New Zealand, China, Russia, Iceland, Greece and Africa, and they loved to travel to cheer on their grandchildren at graduations and sporting events. Paul and Maureen retired to Naples, Florida but recently returned to the Berkshires to be closer to family. Besides his wife of Lenox, he is survived by his 4 children; William James Hickey (Barbara Forbes) of Boston, MA, Elisabeth Marie Carter (Adam Carter) of Washington, DC, Margaret Catherine Cherin (Gregory Cherin) of South Egremont, and John Peter Hickey of Crested Butte, CO., and 9 grandchildren including Cameron Forbes Hickey, Allegra Johnson Hickey, Stewart James Hickey, Charles Carroll Carter II, Emma Isabella Grant, Henry Foxhall Fordyce Grant, Elinor Rose Cherin, Dillan Clair Hickey and Dahlila Belle Hickey. Besides his parents he was pre-deceased by his brother Rev. Peter Hickey, S.J. The funeral of Mr. Paul J. Hickey will be Saturday, March 2nd at 10 am at St. Peter's Church in Gt. Barrington. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery. There are no calling hours. The ROCHE FUNERAL HOME in Lenox is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent to the Great Barrington Historical Society in Paul's memory at www.gbhistory.org or PO Box 1106, Great Barrington, MA 01230.

Mr. Paul J. Hickey

October 19, 1936 - February 21, 2024