Thomas Patrick Hickey

On Monday, June 1, 2026, Thomas (Tom) Patrick Hickey, resilient and proud husband, father of 3, grandfather of 7, great-grandfather of 2, and brother of 3, passed away at the age of 86. Tom was born on November 26, 1939, in Chicago, IL to Mary Broderick and Thomas Hickey. After graduating from Lane Tech High School, Tom began a career with the Chicago Police Department spanning 30 years. On October 13, 1962, he married Judith Louise Kittle and for nearly 6 decades their love and commitment to each other inspired countless tales of laughter, perseverance, and respect. He is survived by his three children, Elizabeth (Joseph) Krejnik, Thomas (Annette) Hickey, and Margaret (Timothy) Marlow, seven grandchildren, Jacqueline, Samantha, Nicholas, Madeline, Sean, Grace, and Jack, two great-granddaughters, Jude and Andi, and siblings, John Hickey (CPD), Mary Ann Tucker, and Kathy Nusbaum. Since a young age, Tom knew the importance of hard work, dedication, and a head held high. With speed, strength, and tenacity, Tom was a knockout in the boxing ring and soon was the same with Chicago Police Department. In his 30-year career, Tom rose to the rank of Detective in the burglary division. His devotion to his community and his badge shaped who he was as a detective, a partner, an individual, and as a husband, father, brother, and son. Outside of his uniform, Tom was the life of the party. Opening his heart and his home on Mobile Street to friends, family, and the occasional English bulldog, the Hickey household was a place of laughter and joy, celebration and support. A friend to so many, Tom was the epitome of a patriarch. A monumental man with a noble soul and a soft heart, he was an inspiration as a father, friend, and mentor. Despite his strong exterior, Tom’s humor radiated through his storytelling. Like a great novel come to life, every year added a new chapter and every milestone was marked with thrill of a good mystery, the adoration of centuries old romance, or the perfect paperback punchline. Tom lived his life collecting stories till he was an entire library unto himself. Tom’s retirement as a detective from the Chicago Police Department brought the Midwest native to the warmth of Palm Harbor, Florida. Swaying palm trees and a warm pool created a nonstop revolving door at the Hickey house of friends, family, and neighbors. Summers with grandma and papa, Christmas parties with Santa in swim trunks, and a convertible that could finally have the top down 24/7, the Florida years were marked with fun, relaxation, an early evening martini, a four-legged best friend named Charlie, and a new generation of tiny feet running around the lanai. The author of his own story, Tom never shied away from the flourish, the gritty details, and the pride he had in the characters that enriched every new chapter of his life. His legacy will live on in every quip, wisecrack, anecdote, or tale that gets passed around the dinner table, over a phone call, or just simply remembered. Tom liked to leave reviews on the inside cover of all the books he read, and the review of his own life could be summed up as this: an epic masterpiece of a life lived fully. They say never trust a blue-eyed, left-handed, Irishman but there is no one we will ever trust or love more than you, papa. Burns Funeral Home & Crematory, Crown Point, IN, entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Tom’s online obituary and guestbook at www.burnsfuneral.com.

Thomas Patrick Hickey

November 26, 1939 - June 1, 2026