Pat Hickey
Born: November 5, 1916
Died: August 3, 2005
Married: Virginia
Children: Jim Hickey, Kristen Hickey, Dr. Kevin Hickey
Dr. Eugene J. "Pat" Hickey was a World War II veteran. He was a dentist who grew up in Saranac Lake and summered in Lake Clear. He was a son of Patrick J. Hickey, of Tupper Lake.
He is buried in St. Bernard's Cemetery.
Syracuse Post Standard, August 7, 2005
August 3, 2005 Dr. "Pat" Eugene J. Hickey died this past Wednesday at his summer home in Lake Clear, NY.
He was born November 5, 1916, in Brooklyn and was raised in the Saranac Lake Region of northern New York. He graduated from Saranac Lake High School and then attended St. Lawrence University, where he received his bachelor's degree. He received his dental degree from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His advanced post-graduate degree in oral and maxillofacial surgery was obtained at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. He then enlisted in the Army Air Force and served in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II. He was discharged as a major in the Army Air Force Dental Corps.
He started his oral surgery practice in the Wilson Building in downtown Syracuse in 1946 and eventually opened two satellite offices, one in North Syracuse and another in Fayetteville. During his career he served on the Community General Hospital Planning Board; was president of the Onondaga County Dental Society; a member of the Fifth District Dental Society; a member of the New York State Dental Society; and president of St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center 1974-1975. He was instrumental in the development of the Heart Surgery Center and General Dental Residency Program at St. Joseph's. He was a Diplomat of the American Board of Ambulatory Anesthesia, a member of the American Society of Oral Surgeons, a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and a member of the Great Lakes Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He was very involved in the dental treatment of individuals and children with special needs and disabilities, both at St. Joseph's and in his private offices.
He served on the Fabius-Pompey School Board for 10 years and was a member and chairman of the Pompey Planning Board. He also served on the boards of Continental Information Systems and Hamilton Digital Controls.
He is the founding father of Toggenburg Ski and Board Center (circa 1953). In 1987, he was elected into the Ski Areas of NY Hall of Fame in recognition of services to the sport and the industry. He was one of the pioneers in the use of snowmaking in New York State. He once stood all alone in a difficult legal battle in a fight against the common practice, at the time, of charging royalties for the snowmaking process. As a result, all ski area operators have been spared a huge additional cost of operations. He established a program for deaf skiers 31 years ago, which also led to the present ARISE and Ski Program. Toggenburg has hosted the Special Olympics for two years.
Surviving are his devoted wife of 59 years, Virginia "Ginny"; Jim and Kristen Hickey, Manlius; Dr. Kevin and Mary Hickey, Manlius; four grandchildren, Melissa, Daryn, Reilly and Ryan. Funeral Services: A Mass is being held Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Church, Pompey.
A private burial will be in Saranac Lake at a later date. Calling hours will be Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Newell-Fay Funeral Home, 8171 Cazenovia Road (Rte. 92), Manlius. Contributions can be made to the Deaf Skiers Program. Checks should be made payable to Fair Access for the Deaf, c/o Toggenburg Ski and Board Center, Box 162, Fabius, NY 13063. NEWELL-FAY Manlius 682-5300