Edward T. Hickey Sr.

Edward Thomas Hickey, 90, passed away on Saturday August 21, 2021 at Tidewell Hospice House in Port Charlotte, Florida. He was born on November 16, 1930 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Laurence Joseph Hickey and Hannah Parkinson Hickey

All that really knew Ed would know how much he loved his sports like baseball and football but a mainstay in his daily routine would be his love of horse racing. With phone calls to his brother on a daily basis Ed would have “discussions” that would lead to phrases such as “ the horse can’t read the odds board” and “ he’s going to finish in the next race”. Ed’s wonderful personality and demeanor were always out front at greeting people with his catch phrase “I’m doing good now that you’re here”.

The last of ten children, he was a devout Catholic and dedicated to his family. The day after turning 17, he followed his brother Jack by enlisting in the Navy. He was unable to complete boot camp due to asthma problems and received an Honorable Discharge 4 weeks later. An avid baseball fan and player, he was invited to attend a workout at Yankee Stadium in 1953.

He married Joan Antonucci in 1953, and they raised 6 children over their 25 years together.

Following in some of his brother’s footsteps, he worked as a firefighter for the City of Norwalk, Connecticut Fire Department from 1962 to 1980 when he retired on disability. In 1977, he opened The Cattle Corner, a meat market with his 4 sons in Norwalk, Connecticut. He was so proud to work with his sons.

Ed was an avid bowler from the late 50’s to the late 70’s attending many National Bowling Tournaments throughout the United States. He bowled with his sons and son-in-law in many of those tournaments. He was a Hall of Fame member of the Gr. Bridgeport - Norwalk American Bowling Congress.

He always wanted to learn more and to be a better person. He enrolled in college at the age of 50 and earned a B.S., Human Services in 1984 from the University of Bridgeport graduating Summa Cum Laude where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He then went on to earn his Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California in 1986.

Ed worked for The Veterans Administration Medical Center at locations in Long Beach, California and Gainesville, Florida. In 1991, he went to work in Las Vegas for the Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic as a Clinical Social Worker. It was here that he was most proud of his work with veterans as a hospice coordinator while managing the Community Nursing Home Program and G.E.M. (Geriatric Evaluation and Management) Program. It was here that he met his long-time partner Janet Robertson, who also worked for the Veterans Administration.

On August 27, 2021, Ed would have celebrated 43 years of sobriety. He spent every day being grateful for the blessings he received and the love of his family and friends and the “support system”, as he called it, that followed him throughout his moves.

Left to cherish Edward’s memory are his wonderful long-time partner, Janet Robertson of Las Vegas, Nevada, his brother John Hickey (Frances Hickey),sister in law Marge Hickey his 6 children: Edward Hickey, Jr. (Virginia Pritt Hickey) of Sarasota, FL, Wayne Hickey (Candy Hickey) of Myrtle Beach, SC, Joan Lasprogato (Tom Lasprogato) of Venice, FL, Robert Antonucci (Victoria Antonucci) of Tacoma, WA, Michael Hickey (Lori Hickey) of Port St. Lucie, FL and Loretta Schoff (Stephen Schoff) of Englewood, FL as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren and great grandchildren and a large, loving, extended family and many supportive friends and neighbors in Florida, Connecticut and Las Vegas.

Family and friends will gather at the funeral home from 1:00 - 3:00 on Saturday, November 6 for a Celebration of Life. Services will be held at 3:00 pm.

To offer your words of comfort, or share your stories, please visit the website at www.kayspongervenice.com