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CHARLOTTE — Deacon Gerald Hickey, 83, of Charlotte passed away June 6, 2011. Ordained with 18 other men on May 29, 1983, by then-Bishop Michael Begley, Deacon Jerry was a member of the first class of permanent deacons for the Diocese of Charlotte and served his entire ministry at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Vincent de Paul Church on June 11, 2011. Burial followed at Belmont Abbey Cemetery.

Deacon Jerry was born on Nov. 18, 1927, in Germantown, Pa., to John Lawrence Hickey and Catherine Doyle Cornell and baptized at St. Benedict Church in Philadelphia. He married Joan Ann Ebert in 1955, and in 1972 they moved from New York to Charlotte. Soon after they became active at St. Vincent de Paul Church, and he dedicated his life to service in the Church.

He retired in 2002 when he turned 75, although he continued ministering in a reduced role after his retirement.

In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening, fishing and watching the New York Yankees.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Donna Marie Hickey.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Joan; two sons, Brian Hickey of Charlotte and Kevin Hickey of Little Elm, Texas; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his honor to the St. Vincent de Paul Building Campaign or to a charity of one's choice.

McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.