Gary Wayne Hicks, 58, of 228 Third St. E., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Thursday, Dec. 3, 1998 at La Verendrye General Hospital. He was born May 18, 1940 in Windsor, Ont. to the late Frank and Louella Hicks.
Gary had worked for Pilkington Glass Company in Cambridge, Ont. for 10 years before being transferred to Thunder Bay, where he worked for five years. He then moved back to the Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo area, where he worked for Sherwin Williams Paint and Pollock Paint and Decorating for a period of time.
In 1976, he moved to Fort Frances, where he had worked for Green’s Furniture, West End Motors, the T. Eaton Company, and Sears. He was presently employed at Stan’s Carpet and Drapery. He also was employed on a casual basis with the Fort Frances OPP.
He was active in several service clubs and organizations, including the Fort Frances Jaycees, Kinsmen, and the House Builders Association in Thunder Bay. He also served on the Recreation Commission, known now as Parks and Recreation.
He was an avid bowler for many years, and he enjoyed curling, golf, playing baseball, and travelling.
Gary was a people person who loved to sit and chat with his many friends, and he was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone who was in need. Despite his busy schedule, he always made time to spend with his family, whom he loved very much.
Gary was united in marriage in Fort Frances on Sept. 3, 1966 to the former Evelyn Peterson, who survives with their two children, Barbara-Ann Eldridge and her husband, Devin, and Duane Hicks, all of Fort Frances.
Also surviving is his sister, Sharon McAllister of London, Ont.; two nephews, Danny McAllister and his wife, Kathy, of London, Ont., and Scott McAllister and his wife, Louise, and their children, Olivia and Erica, of Milton, Ont.; his niece, Wendie McAllister of Whiterock, B.C.; and two cousins, Marvin Mills and wife, Pamela, of London, Ont., and their children, Roger and David, and Frances Hicks of Margate, Fl.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1998 at 10:30 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. Pastor Jeff Plett officiated, with interment in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances.
Friends visited Monday evening, Dec. 7, 1998 from 7 until 9 p.m. at Green Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Gary Vittie, Cam Howard, Ken Richardson, Paul Pirie, Phil Donald, and Clint Sisco.
Honourary pallbearers were Paul Fraser, Jim Ballard, and Greg MacCoubrey.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Box 444, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8, or to the charity of your choice.