Robert A. J. Hickey

Robert was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on September 7, 1921. He was raised, along with his cousin Marie, by his mother Nora Hickey (Chamberlain) and his aunt Katie. He graduated from Boston English High School in 1939. He had an early interest in radio and electronics and in 1940 studied radio theory at the Mass Radio School in Boston. He later worked as an electrical power distribution controlman at the Boston Edison Electrical Company.

Robert was a World War II veteran, inducted into the United States Army in October 1942. After basic training he was assigned to the Army Infantry Division Signal Company. He later transferred to the Army Air Force Army Airways Communications System as a Staff Sergeant serving as a Radio Operator in the Rome Arno and Greece Ground Combat Campaigns. He received an Honorable Discharge in November 1945. He continued serving part time in the Massachusetts National Guard as a Technical Sergeant until receiving an Honorable Discharge in May 1950. In October 1952 he received an appointment as a Reserve Officer in the United States Air Force grade Second Lieutenant where he served part time until receiving an Honorable Discharge in December 1961 as a First Lieutenant.

Robert began his civilian career in radio, first at WKOB in North Adams, MA where he helped install their first transmitter, then at Raytheon Co. in Waltham, MA performing final test on high power commercial broadcast transmitters, and finally at WBZ Boston. He enjoyed an exciting career at WBZ for thirty three years until he retired in February 1982.

Since he was young, Robert always had a passion for tinkering. His curiosity drew him into a career in radio, but also into many of his hobbies, like building high fidelity amplifiers and speaker systems. He loved the outdoors, hiking, skiing, and camping. He had a fascination with aviation, taking flying lessons and teaching his grandchildren what he had learned on his computer with a flight simulator.

Robert met his wife Barbara at a ski lodge in Jackson New Hampshire in January 1957 at the Saturday night dance. They were married April 25, 1958. Robert is survived by his wife Barbra of Hingham; his children David and his wife Weihong of Cambridge; Kevin of Norwell; Elizabeth and her husband Robert of Portland, ME; Paul and his wife Nancy of Hingham; and his grandchildren, Brian, Jeremy, Leah, Sean, Brad, Drew, and Elyse.

Robert was preceded in death by his daughter Carol.

Visitation will be held at the Sullivan Funeral Homes, 551 Washington Street, Route 53, Hanover, on Saturday, May 7th from 10:30 - 11:00AM. A graveside memorial will follow at 11:30AM at the Washington Street Cemetery, Washington St, Route 53, Norwell.