James R. Jr Hickey

Longtime Trumansburg resident James R. (Jim) Hickey, Jr. passed away unexpectedly on July 14, 2016.

Jim was born in New York City on July 23, 1947 and was adopted by James R. Hickey, Sr. and Veronica Hickey as an infant. The family resided in Mahopac, New York where Jim graduated from the Catholic school system. He went on to study at Saint Bonaventure University where he majored in Journalism. After graduation he moved to Morristown, New Jersey to work for a local paper doing newspaper reporting, radio newscasting and anchoring a Cable TV nightly news broadcast. Although he found the work interesting he did not see a future in that profession so he decided to pursue a career as a lawyer. He moved to Los Angeles, California to attend Southwestern Law School and enrolled in the four year program. Upon completion of his studies he passed the California Bar Exam but decided to move back to New York.

Jim's father had died in car accident when Jim was very young. While Jim was in college his mother had remarried Dr. Ralph Low of Trumansburg and Jim came back to this area to set up a practice in the early 1980's. He clerked for a County Court Judge and worked as Assistant County Attorney prior to establishing his own practice in Criminal Defense, Divorce and Domestic issues and Real Estate
and Wills/Estate distribution.

Jim has many passions in life: his work, his family, politics, three dachshunds who followed him everywhere when he was home, and family trips to name a few. But an overriding passion was baseball and specifically the Yankees. He had been a fan since he could remember and he and his very good friend, Mike Kuntz, made an annual trip to New York City every fall to see a game. Always looked forward to the start of the season and hoped every year for a spot in the playoffs.

Jim married Sandra Westcott in 1986 who survives him along with their two children; James R. Hickey III and Shayla Hickey. He is also survived by a sister, Margaret Verrilli, who resides in San Diego, California. He was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, James R. Hickey, Sr. and Veronica Hickey-Low and his stepfather Dr. Ralph Low.

In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to: Tompkins County SPCA, American Legion Post 770, or theTrumansburg Fire Department.

A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held Sunday, August 7th from 1:00-3:00 pm at American Legion Post #770, 4431 Seneca Road,Trumansburg.