William J. Hickey
Barbara and Bill Hickey
William Joseph Hickey, a health professional and former 43-year resident of Swarthmore, died on Thursday, May 23, 2019, at Riddle Village in Media, where he had resided for the last two years. He was 83.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Catherine (Gannon) and James Hickey, Bill Hickey spent most of his youth in San Antonio, Texas. He started working when he was 14 and never stopped until a few years ago at his retirement. He was a quiet man of great integrity and intelligence.
After graduating from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, he earned an MBA (with distinction) in marketing at Penn’s Wharton School. Eleven years later, he earned a master’s in health care administration at Trinity University in San Antonio. And nine years later, he was awarded a Ph.D. in organizational behavior from Northwestern University.
During his long career, Bill Hickey held both faculty and administrative positions in public health at local institutions. From 1973 to 2002, he first served at the University of Pennsylvania as the assistant VP for health affairs, director of the budget, and executive director of management studies; then at Osteopathic Medical Center as VP for Administrative Affairs; next at Allegheny University of the Health Services as associate provost; and finally at MCP Hahnemann University as associate provost.
He acted as a consultant for Thomas Jefferson University and the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. He was also a board member of a number of organizations, including Legal Clinic for the Disabled, Inc., SeniorCare Cooperative @ Swarthmore, and Marriage Council of Philadelphia, Inc.
Bill Hickey was a man of deep faith as a longtime parishioner at the former Notre Dame de Lourdes Church of Swarthmore. He liked to travel (China, Japan, France, and Finland, among others), to see and discuss films, and to dine out. He was known never to turn down a second helping of ice cream — especially Ben & Jerry’s.
Despite those pleasures and throughout his long career, Bill Hickey was primarily a family man. Spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren was, in truth, the greatest joy of his life.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Barbara (Reichart); daughters Patricia Di Bartolomeo (Jean-Yves) of Paris, France, and Julie Cummings of Media, Pa.; son William (Karen) of Atlanta, Georgia; and four grandchildren, Emilie Rose Hickey, Thomas Hickey, Evan Cummings, and Max Cummings. Mr. Hickey is also survived by his sister, Margaret Hickey of St. Louis, Missouri, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, James Hickey.
A private family service was held at the Cavanagh Funeral Home in Media the day after his death.
Donations
Memorial gifts may be sent to Philabundance, 3616 South Galloway St., Philadelphia, PA 19148, or Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030.
