Obituary: Edward A. Hickey

As received from the Jacobson Funeral Home: 

Edward A. Hickey (76), of Aura, Michigan, passed away on April 21, 2024.

Edward, fondly known as Mike, was born to Edward (Ned) and Charlotte, on February 2, 1948 inBig Rapids, Michigan. At the age of 17, his love of the water and boats led him to the Merchant Marines. In 1967 he joined the Navy and proudly served until 1971. While serving in the Navy he visited such countries as Spain, Greece, Nova Scotia, the Caribbean, and Aruba. After the Navy he married in 1973 and began his family. He had 3 children, Brad, Michael, and Annie. They happily spent their summers in the Upper Peninsula on Huron Bay. He started work on the Ford Motor Company boats in 1974 as a bed bug and worked his way up to Chief Engineer. He sailed on the Henry Ford II, Benson Ford, and the William Clay Ford. While on the William Clay Ford, he was dispatched to look for the Edmond Fitzgerald during that fateful storm in November of 1975. As he spent years sailing the great lakes, the UP was always calling him home. In 1991 he landed his dream job as the Chief Engineer of the Ranger III in Houghton, MI. He would spend the next 20 years taking passengers to and from Isle Royal National Park, crossing Lake Superior. His love of the outdoors, boating, and fishing made this the perfect job and the perfect home for Mike. In 2003 he met Sherry and in 2004 they married. His marriage to Sherry brought 3 more children into his life, Angel, Christina, and Melissa. Little Charlee came into their lives 4 years ago and although Mike didn’t want an “ankle biter” he adored and loved that little dog. He retired in 2010 and enjoyed his retirement years. Mike and Sherry moved out to Huron Bay where they continued to enjoy the outdoors, the water, boating, and fishing. They hosted family and friends often and loved entertaining at their lake house.

Mike is survived by his wife Sherry of Aura, his brother Pat (Cathy) of Escanaba, his sister Jackie (Bill) of Ann Arbor, his three children, Brad of Redford, Mike of Redford, Anne (Eric) of Livonia, and his three stepchildren, Angel (Dustin) of Columbus, Christina (Chad) Minneapolis, and Melissa of Lake Linden. He is also survived by his grandchildren Trent, Johnny, Elizabeth, Brooklyn, Ryder, Wyatte, Anja, Eli, Meridy, and Abby. He is preceded in death by his father, Edward (Ned) Hickey in 1972, his stepfather, Lawrence “Butch” Perreault in 1985, and his mother Charlotte Perreault in 2013.

Mike’s family will be hosting a funeral service on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Visitation will be from 11:00 – 12:00 at Jacobson Funeral Home with Military Rites at 12:00 p.m. and the service to follow with Fr. Jins Joseph officiating at Jacobson’s Funeral Home in L’Anse, MI. A luncheon will be held at their home on Huron Bay following the services.

Friends may sign Mike’s guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.