William "Bill" Matthew Hickey age 65, of Amherst, passed away Friday, April 1, 2011 at Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, Upper Nappan, NS. Born in Halifax, NS he was a son of the late Raymond and Eileen (Mullaly) Hickey. Bill grew up in Moncton, NB and graduated from Harrison Trimble High School, Moncton. He worked for a finance company, was a field supervisor in the restaurant business and was involved with manufactured housing. Bill was general manager for General Eastern Homes plant in Amherst at the time of its closing in 1985. He and his business partners then purchased the business and ran it for a number of years eventually transitioning into Delta Heat Pumps. What Bill loved doing most were his hobbies of sports and drag racing, which he combined in his business, Once Again Sports in Amherst, for over 15 years. Motorsports and supporting the hockey kids were his passion, and this showed in the personal relationships he had with his customers. From his early years, Bill was a persuasive motivator, and this led to one of his greatest accomplishments, the 40th year reunion of the Scoudouc Dragway in 2008. With best friends Joe Dupuis and Boom Melanson, Bill organized a drag race where nearly 300 drivers took part in a fantastic weekend in Miramichi to commemorate the Moncton Speed and Sport Club. Bill is survived by his wife Elizabeth Anne, step son Michael, two sisters Grace Hickey (John Traczyk) of Markham, ON and Anne Lamb of Moncton, NB, four nieces Jennifer, Amy, Kate and Lara, two nephews Craig and Sean and a grand nephew Nolan. Besides his parents, Bill was predeceased by brother in law Jim Lamb and his father and mother in law Gordie and Edie Holmes.
Visitation will be held on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 in Campbell's Funeral Home, 98 Church St., Amherst. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 2 p.m. from Campbell's Chapel with Rev. Donald Miller officiating. Memorial donations in Bill's memory may be made to the Cancer Assistance Fund of Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre or the L.A. Animal Shelter. Interment will take place a later date in the Amherst Cemetery.
www.campbellsamherst.ca