NORWICH, VERMONT-

Jerome B. Hickson, Sr 95, died April 9, 2011 at Valley Terrace in Wilder, VT.

Jerry was born June 4, 1915 in Miami, FL the son of Joseph L and Florence (Bissell) Hickson. He graduated from Homestead High School in Homestead, FL. He moved to Hanover, NH in 1936 at the age of twenty one and worked at the Hanover Inn. He got involved with the Ford Sayre ski program and was one of the first ski instructors certified by the US Eastern Amateur Ski Association and the Professional Ski Instructors Association. He married Hazel Fitzgerald October 7, 1940 in Norwich, VT.

Jerry was a true gentleman, and enjoyed learning about many different things. He dearly loved his family and shared his many interests with them, from classical music to skiing to canoeing, fishing, Red Sox baseball, and astronomy. He grew up sailing homemade boats on Biscayne Bay, built two boats for Mascoma Lake, and spent many hours in a canoe. Jerry was a self- taught water color painter and often painted some of his favorite scenes; boats, fishing, and the sea. He enjoyed an active life, skiing and hiking into his nineties. Most of all he enjoyed the time he shared with his family.

Jerry was an active member and former Deacon of the Norwich Congregational Church. He was also a very proud member of the Grange serving at one time as Master of the Norwich Grange and was the first President of the Vermont Grange's Past Masters Association. Jerry also did various volunteer work throughout the community.


Jerry is survived by his wife of 70 years Hazel Hickson of Norwich; two sons, Jerome Hickson Jr. and wife Nina of Weare, NH and Thomas Hickson and wife Kay of Phelps, Wisconsin; two daughters Pauline H. Rand and husband, John of Cornish Flat, NH and Patricia H. Nowlan of Underhill, VT; eleven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and a large extended family.

A memorial service will be held at the Norwich Congregational Church Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 1PM. Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction, VT is assisting with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: the Upper Valley Grange, PO Box 451, Hartford, VT 05047; the Norwich Congregational Church, PO Box 23, Norwich, VT 05055; or a charity of one's choice.