HAMPDEN – John Roland Hickson, 82, passed away peacefully Jan. 2, 2010, surrounded by his loving wife, Betty and family, at a Bangor hospital. He was born Nov. 23, 1927, in Brewer, the middle child of Albert and Carolyn (Durham) Hickson. John graduated from John Bapst High School, where he excelled in all sports, especially football, and is a member of the John Bapst Hall of Fame. He continued his education attending Higgins Classical Institute and St. Anselm’s College. John was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, serving in Korea and became a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1761, after serving his country. He was employed at Maine Central Railroad, then continued his career with the U.S. Postal Service until he retired in 1990. He and Betty spent the next 20 years wintering in the warmth of Florida, where he enjoyed golf, sightseeing, social activities and attending St. Rita’s Catholic Church, Wellington. Summers in Maine were spent enjoying his home, camping along the coast of Maine, visiting family and attending many of his son John’s golf tournaments. The most important part of John’s life was his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. John spent many hours telling his own creative stories, especially his famous “Johnny Lightning Bug” series. He is survived by his wife, Betty (Leard) Hickson of Hampden; his children, Carolyn and husband, Gerry Greenleaf, of Steep Falls, Karen and husband, Steve Brown, of White Plains, N.Y., Kimberly Hickson of Milford and John Hickson II and wife, Nancy, of Topsham; six grandchildren, Kevin Greenleaf, Alyson Leeper, Meaghan Wildes, Anya Brown, Marcus Brown and Benjamin Hickson; and four great-grandchildren, Riley and Reece Wildes, Addison and Caleb Greenleaf. Friends may call 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Matthews Catholic Church, Hampden. Gifts in John’s memory may be sent to Ronald McDonald House of Bangor, Inc., 654 State St., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
JOHN ROLAND HICKSON
