George Albert (“Al”) Hicks- Passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 7th, 2016 at Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, Ontario in his 91st year. He was born April 24, 1926 on a farm near Havelock, New Brunswick to Albert and Mary Hicks. His father tragically died when he was an infant and his mother remarried to his cousin Vaughn Steeves.
After growing up on the family farm during the Great Depression and WW II, Al enlisted in the Canadian army and was training for the invasion of Japan when the war thankfully ended. Having been spared from combat, his most memorable army experience was greeting war brides from Europe arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia and assisting them in getting on the right train to reach their final destination.
After leaving the army, Al worked his way up through a number of careers: gold miner in northern Ontario, prison guard at a couple of correctional institutions in Ontario, mutual fund salesman and then insurance salesman in Peterborough, Ontario and finally a small businessman in London, Ontario. He was known for his inquiring mind and enthusiasm for learning. He was always reading the paper or watching the news and had an endless supply of interesting stories to share. He was also known for his astuteness in investing, loving good food and, most memorably, he always loved to talk.
Al was very proud of his children's and grandchildren’s accomplishments. Even as his health failed him, his great grandchildren always brought a sparkle to his eye. Perhaps most of all, however, Al would be proud to be remembered for his love and commitment to his wife Evelyn during their 62 years of marriage.
Al will be missed greatly by his beloved wife Evelyn, his surviving children Michael, Katherine (Ron) and Ralph, his grandchildren Chelsea (Warren), Jeffrey (Zuza) and Eric (Michelle) and his great-grandchildren Cadence, Dylan, Mason and Lincoln. Al was predeceased by his eldest son Dennis.
Albert was a dear brother to Leta Hall (Elton), Freda Alward (Basil), Whitfield Steeves (Elva), Elsie Gregg (Gordon), Lester Steeves (Patricia) and the late Flora (William) Hopkins. He was also a brother-in-law to Gladys Christianson, Margaret McLean (Wilfred), Dorothy Gelineau (Fred), Marian Marcotte (Rolland), Edward Christianson, George Christianson and the late Jack Christianson (Cecile), Thelma Houston and Don Christianson (Denise).
Uncle Al will also be remembered fondly by his many nieces, nephews and their extended families.
Visitation will be held on September 11, 2016 at 11:00-1:00, service will follow at 1:00 and then a reception. All events will be held at Mackey Funeral Home, 33 Peel Street, Lindsay, Ontario.
In memory of Al, donations to The Salvation Army or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.