HICKS, ELMER JEREMIAH - Elmer Hicks passed away quietly and peacefully in Moncton on July 4, 2011 at the age of 92. Born on October 12, 1918 in Valcartier Village, Quebec. Elmer was the youngest of six siblings to Margaret and John Hicks. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Elmer attended Valcartier School and the Commissioners High School in Quebec City and in 1941 he enlisted in the army. On September 11, 1948 he wed his lifetime love Phyllis McKinley, and they were transferred to Fredericton. After a brief posting to Victoria, BC, they retuned to Fredericton and then moved to Oromocto. Elmer served with the Royal Canadian Engineers for 30 years. After retiring from the military, he worked for the Oromocto Development Corp. as manager of properties, and then worked for 10 years at UNB. Elmer was an active member of the St. John’s Anglican Church in Oromocto where he was a regular Sunday sidesman and in years gone by worked the Church’s canteen booth at the Fredericton exhibition each fall. Both Elmer and Phyllis were founding members of the Gage Curling Club and curled for over 40 years. He was very active in the Oromocto community and volunteered with the VON, Bicentennial Committee, Heart Foundation and on the board of the Manor. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Sappers. Elmer loved cards (once had a 29 hand in crib!), and was passionate about gardening, with the help of Phyllis they won Oromocto’s most beautiful garden in 1965, 1966 and 1968. Upon retirement, Elmer took on his role as gentleman farmer quite seriously and spent numerous hours in his garden at the cottage at Macquapit Lake. Elmer was a loving father and great role model to Nancy, Donna and Tim. He was always known in Oromocto as a gentleman and a man of great integrity. He was ahead of his time for being a liberated man who assisted the children with their homework every evening, made bedtime snacks, and served Phyllis breakfast in bed Monday to Fridays. He will be greatly missed. He was predeceased by his wife Phyllis and daughter Nancy Hicks and is survived by Donna (Pierre Gallant), Timothy (Kathy Tosh) and grandchildren, Neville, Hillary, Elliott, Erika and Sabrina. The family would like to thank the staff at ProTem in Moncton who took such great care of Elmer for the last year and a half after Nancy passed away.
A service to celebrate his life will be held on July 8 at 2:00 pm at the St. John’s Anglican Church 70 Broad Road in Oromocto. Visitation will be July 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Oromocto Funeral Home in Oromocto. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 93 will hold a tribute service Thursday at 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Donations in memory of Elmer may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society or a charity of your choice. On-line condolences may be made at www.oromoctofh.com