Passed peacefully away at home in the presence of his loving family on December 11, 2015. Tom was born to Chester and Jane Hickman in Grand Bank, NL on May 10, 1941 and left home at the age of 15 to work in the construction industry. In 1966, he met his wife Margaret while she was working as a nurse in Bay d'Espoir and they married 8 months later. After many years working for other firms in the construction industry, in 1979 he founded what is now known as the Marco Group of Companies. Although Tom had many professional and financial successes, he was most proud of the family he and Marg created. Married for 49 years, they were best friends who held hands until the end and enjoyed their life together in NL and Venice, Florida. Tom leaves, with much love, his wife Margaret (Kavanagh), his son Christopher and his wife Donna, his daughters Stephanie (David Fay) and Cheryl. His grandsons Thomas and Alex Hickman, whom he watched grow into fine young men, brought him great joy and pride. He was predeceased by his sister Betty Smith and her husband Vernon and his nephew Scott Adams. He also leaves his brother, Henry (Joyce), sister Mildred Adams (Clayton), his sister-in-law Mary Burton, his lifelong friends, George Chafe, Godfrey (Birch) Wedgwood, Maurice Quinton and Michael Novac and a wide circle of relatives and dear friends. Tom will be remembered as a force of nature who met each challenge with hard work, determination and integrity. He got up each day with a smile and looked forward to what each day would bring, with his wife and family always by his side. He was a lover of politics, English football, travel, history, woodworking, peonies, Sunday morning Hymn Sing and red nibs. The Hickman family wishes to thank Dr. Thavanathan, who treated Tom with extraordinary care and respect over the past fourteen months and his friends and neighbours Dr. Anne Williams and Andrea Murray, both of whom were tremendous sources of support and care during his lengthy illness. We also wish to thank all of his nurses, in particular Melanie Quinlan and Jill Greeley at Community Health. Visitation will take place at Carnell's Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, St. John's, NL, on Sunday, December 13 and Monday, December 14 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Mass of Christian burial will take place on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 9:30 am at St. Pius X Church. Private interment to follow at a later date. Tom loved flowers and they are gratefully accepted or donations may be made in his name to VOWR. To send a message of condolence or to sign the memorial guest book, please visit www.carnells.com