Brother John Hickey, C.F.X.

Brother John Hickey, CFX, 80, died Sunday, October 16, 2011 at the Maristhill Nursing Center in Waltham. He had been a Xaverian Brother for sixty-two years. Brother John, a native of New York and a graduate of Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, entered the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Francis Xavier in September 1949 and in 1950 was invested in the Xaverian habit and given the name Brother Michell. Earning degrees from Loyola University and St. John’s University, brother began his teaching career at St. Patrick’s School and Mt. St. Joseph High School in Baltimore. Two short stints in Kentucky led to a 16 year teaching assignment at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Wheaton, MD. In 1984, Brother John accepted a role as a member of the leadership team at Ryken House, the retirement community for Xaverian Brothers in Louisville. From 1991 until 1994, he worked in Baltimore and Louisiana in programs for those struggling with homelessness, disabilities, and addiction, and from 1994-1999 he served at an interfaith outreach center in Orangeburg, SC. Since 2007, he had been a member of the Xaverian House community in Danvers. In addition to his brothers in religion, Brother John leaves several extended family members. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011 at 4PM in the Chapel of St. John’s Preparatory School, 72 Spring St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Brothers’ Cemetery, Danvers. Visitation in the Chapel prior to Mass from 3-3:45PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Xaverian Brothers Retirement Fund, 4409 Frederick Ave., Baltimore, MD 21229.