Obituary: John R. Hickey, 80, Narragansett Councilman, State Representative

John R. Hickey, 80, of Narragansett, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 9th after a brief illness. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Hope (Reilly) Hickey. He was a communicant and active member of St. Thomas More parish in Narragansett.

Born in Pawtucket, John was the son of the late George and Marcella (Ryan) Hickey. He attended LaSalle Academy, and graduated Cum Laude, from Providence College in 1957 earning a degree in Physics. At PC he entered the Army ROTC, and served two years active duty, followed by 23 years in the Army Reserve as a Major. He later earned a Master of Physics at the University of Rhode Island in 1963.

Following active duty, John joined Epply Labs in Newport in 1961 as a solar physicist. He became a global leader in his field, including working closely with NASA and numerous other global space programs. He proudly worked as Senior Physicist at Epply for 55 years and was awarded the Charles Greeley Abbott Award for significant contributions to the field of solar energy in 1994.

John took great pride and passion in bettering the Narragansett and South County community, spending 36 years of elected and appointed service, including 6 terms on the Narragansett Town Council starting in 1964, and 3 terms as a Rhode Island state representative for District 47.

John was a former President of the Narragansett Little League and Narragansett/South Kingstown Babe Ruth League, and happily spent 37 years coaching youth baseball in South County. Additionally, in 1969 John was a charter member of the Narragansett Lions Club, and remained an active member and leader for 35 years. He was also a former member of the South County Hospital Board of Trustees, the Narragansett Chamber of Commerce and served on numerous civic panels and committees.

A devoted family man, John is survived by his three children, Jonathan (Christine), Kate and Ryan (Fulya). He was the brother of Jim (Joanne), Danny (Margaret), and Bill, and deceased brother George. He was a loving grandfather to Connor, Cameron, Ruya and Devrim, and was actively involved in their lives. He will be missed deeply by all who knew and loved him.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, August 15th at 12:00pm at St. Thomas More Church, 53 Rockland St., Narragansett. Visiting hours are Sunday, August 14th from 3-6pm at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield. Burial will follow in St. Francis Cemetery, Peace Dale. In his memory, contributions may be made to South County Hospital at 100 Kenyon Ave, Wakefield, RI 02879 (southcountyhealth.org) or the Narragansett Lions Club (narragansettlionsclub.com) at PO Box 186, Narragansett, RI 02882.