Richard W. Hicks, Sr.

COLEBROOK, NH-- Mr. Richard W. Hicks, Sr., 85, prominent Colebrook businessman, died peacefully in his sleep at home on Sunday, July 8, 2012, surrounded by his wife Olive and their four children. Richard was born in Colebrook, NH, on September 30, 1926, to the late Parker A. Hicks, Sr. and Theresa (Clark) Hicks. He attended Colebrook schools and was a 1944 graduate of Colebrook Academy. He went on to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a radioman on a ship based out of Pearl Harbor. He returned to Colebrook to marry his high school sweetheart, Olive Keach, in 1946 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, of which he was a member. The Hicks’ had recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Richard worked in the family business, P.A. Hicks & Sons, becoming sole proprietor of the lumber yard and hardware store in 1966. One of his proudest accomplishments was in constructing Colebrook’s original rest area. He also started the Hick’s Memorial business. Richard and Olive raised four children: Alison, Katherine, Richard, Jr., and David. When their children were young, they enjoyed spending the summers at their camp on Lake Wallace, Vt., where their father shared his love of swimming, boating, and waterskiing with all of his children. Richard was a self-educated man who was involved in numerous civic and political endeavors. He proudly served as a Democratic County Commissioner for Coos County, and he was on the Board of Selectmen for the Town of Colebrook for many years. He was also a life-long member of the American Legion, Post #62, serving as commander. He had many interests that were pursued over his lifetime. He was a master bridge player who participated in many state tournaments, and he taught bridge lessons to numerous adult students. Up until the last year of his life, Richard enjoyed a stimulating bridge game. He, and a group of fellow businessmen, founded the John Gault Investment Club, and for many years, he enjoyed investing in, and following, the stock market. Richard was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing at the Colebrook Country Club and The Balsams where he was a member. Another life-long passion was his love of reading. Often he could be found reading several books simultaneously. With their children grown, Richard and Olive purchased a home in Port Charlotte, Fla., where they spent their winters. While there, he pursued his hobbies of oil painting, playing the organ, boating on Florida’s inter-coastal waterways, and caring for his citrus trees. His favorite tree was a prolific grapefruit tree that produced hundreds of grapefruits that he would ship north to his Colebrook friends. Another interest he had was his antique cars. He owned a 1930 Tudor and a 1928 Ford pick-up. He and Olive could be seen driving their vintage autos in parades and on Colebrook’s back roads. Richard is survived by his loving wife, Olive, of Colebrook; his four children, Alison Hicks Sweatt and husband Van of Durham, Katherine Hicks Tremblay and husband Gabriel of Wolfeboro, Richard Hicks, Jr. and wife Joni of Colebrook, and David Hicks, Sr. and wife Cindy of Colebrook; seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his brother, Parker A. Hicks, Jr., in 2011. Calling hours will be on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, from 6-8 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. An Episcopal funeral Mass will be held at St. Stephen’s Church in Colebrook on Thursday, July 12, at 11 a.m., with The Rev. Marlyn Neary as celebrant. Interment will immediately follow with military honors at the Colebrook Village Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Hicks may be made to one’s choice of the Colebrook Public Library, P.O. Box 58, Colebrook, NH 03576; or to the Northwoods Home Health & Hospice, 120 Main St., Suite 5, Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Richard W. Hicks, Sr.

September 30, 1926 - July 8, 2012