ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Lieutenant-Commander Jack Hickey, The Anchorage, Cobh, and Haulbowline, County Cork. Peacefully, on Saturday 17th January 2026, after a short illness surrounded by his loving family in Cork University Hospital. Beloved husband of Catherine (nee Lane) and much-loved father of Ken, Colm, Alan, Aiden, and Jack. Predeceased by his sisters Eileen, Mary and Joan. Jack will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family, daughters-in-law Aoife, Nicola, Sandra, Melanie and Gabrielle, his grandchildren Anna, Emily, Maeve, Isabel, Charlie, Luke, Alex, Sarah and Abigail, brothers Eric, Tommy and Tony, sisters Breda and Ann, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, Naval Service and Defence Forces comrades, and friends.
May Jack rest in peace
Jack Hickey was raised on Haulbowline Island and qualified as a Marine Engineering Officer at the Regional Technical College Cork and as a Cadet and Engineering Officer with British Petroleum Tankers. He was commissioned into the Naval Service in 1981 and filled a wide variety of Engineering Officer appointments both ashore and afloat. These included periods as Marine Engineering Officer LÉ Aisling and LÉ Eithne, and appointments in the Naval Dockyard, as Officer in Charge Technical Training and in Naval Service Support Command Headquarters. He also spend a period as Engineering Officer with the Southern Group cadre of An Slua Muirí, the Naval Service Reserve. Jack played an important role in the 2002 pay benchmarking process when his appointment in the Naval Dockyard was one chosen to be examined in detail.
Those who served with Jack will remember his knowledge, good humour and wit, and ability to innovate solutions to challenging issues. Jack retired in 2012 after 30 years’ service and set up business as a Marine Surveyor. He was a very active member and contributor to the development of Cove Sailing Club, to Cobh Ramblers Football Club and to The Cobh Animation Team community group.
Jack will repose at his home 10 The Anchorage, Cobh, P24WE09, on Tuesday January 20th from 5pm with prayers at 7pm. Removal from his home at 10.30am on Wednesday January 21st to Saint Colman’s Cathedral for 11am Requiem Mass followed by cremation at The Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy.
Requiem Mass will be livestreamed on: https://mcn.live/camera/st-colmans
Jack’s family would like to sincerely thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Cork University Hospital for their kindness and care. Donations in lieu of flowers to CUH (Cork University Hospital) Charity in Memory of Jack Hickey at: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/JH03203722/donate.html
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Jack’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/jack-hickey-cork-cobh-618486
