Obituary of Martin Brendan Hickey

Martin Hickey passed away April 8, 2020 at Valley View Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, Goshen, NY.  He was born on April Fool’s Day in 1935 to Cornelius Hickey and Julia Murphy. He spent his youth in the Village of Cullen, County Cork, where is parents ran C.Hickey’s bar. In his teens he traveled to Scotland to attend the Seminary.  From here he was recruited into the Army and suffered a lifelong leg injury.  Back in Cullen as a young man he and his brother John ran an electric and radio business. 

In 1958 he gave into adventure and immigrated to America.  Arriving in New York in 1958, Martin worked at the New York Athletic Club as a bartender. Soon after he started his career with Pan American airlines. He was proud to serve them until they closed in the 1980’s when bought out by Delta Airlines. He served with Delta until his retirement, topping off his career with 35 years of working at Kennedy Airport. 

In 1959 he married Eileen Riordan, daughter of Anna Rooney and Denis Riordan also from Cullen, County Cork. Together they had 3 children: Anne Marie Hickey a nurse a Memorial Sloan Kettering, Martin Hickey retired NYPD and Julie Hickey Nolan a teacher. Martin has 4 grandchildren, Nicole Nolan and her husband Brian Keleher, Katie Nolan, Brendan Hickey and Daniel Hickey.  He is also survived by his two brothers from County Cork, Ireland, John and Paul.

In 1986 a widowed Martin reunited with his old flame Dorothy Haley and were married and resided in Lockport NY.  Martin spent his retirement in Lockport with his passion of the Lock City Glee Club and golf.  He enjoyed many good times with Dorothy and her family. He and Dorothy traveled frequently to his home of Ireland. 

Since the first day of arriving in America, Martin proudly supported his Irish roots.  As a member of the Cork Association for over 50 years, he is honored to support the association  in many ways, as a Past President and numerous committees and functions through the years. For many years Martin was seen leading the Cork Pipe Band down the avenue as the Drum Major.   Martin is also a long serving member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Queens and in Lockport, New York.

Friends may call on Monday August 24, 2020 10:30-11:30 AM at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee Street, Lockport.  Interment will be in Queen of Heaven Cemetery.  Online condolences  at www.pruddenandkandt.com.