Michael Edwin Hickey

Michael Edwin Hickey died on March 30, 2018, at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, CA. Born on March 6, 1945, in Green Bay, WI, to Marvin and Mildred (née Delahaut) Hickey, Mike, as he preferred to be called, graduated from Our Lady of Premontre High School in 1963. He received a baccalaureate degree in chemistry from St. Norbert College (1967) and then completed a Ph.D. in biochemistry at Purdue University (1976). In 1973 Mike began a career in the biomedical field that extended 40 years and included employment at DuPont and Dade Behring (Glasgow, DE), Aksys (Lincolnshire, IL), and Nichols Institute Diagnostics (San Clemente, CA). A signal professional accomplishment, which earned him an Industrial Research 100 award in 1980, was his development of a new assay that could diagnose heart attacks before the appearance of significant physical symptoms. In 1984, Mike was honored by St. Norbert College as a distinguished alumnus in the natural sciences.

Mike married Linda Pigeon, the love of his life, in 1965; though typically a man of reserve, his delight at their fiftieth anniversary celebration was clear for all to see. His interests included photography, history, travel, and following his hometown Packers; he also doted on his dachshunds Linc, Molly, and Ben. A personal highlight came in 2013, when Mike and his two sons journeyed to Ireland. He ended up fracturing his shoulder in Kilkenny but often stated that he would gladly repeat this special trip, even if it meant another injury.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Marvin and Mildred. He is survived by his devoted wife Linda; his sons Todd (Mary) and Jason (Anne); his grandchildren Michael, Sophia, Lily, and Samuel; and his older brother Pat. His nephew James spent hours at his bedside during his final illness, an act of compassion for which Mike’s immediate family remains grateful.

Mike’s Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Parish, 1170 South Broadway, Escondido, CA, on April 16, 2018, at 10am. A Rosary will precede the Mass at 9am. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Mike’s name to:

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

National Processing Center

Attn: Honor & Memorial Gifts

PO Box 1245

Albert Lea, MN 56007-9976

http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org

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