Daniel Marshall Hickey

Daniel Hickey, who also loved to go by "Danny" growing up, very unfortunately passed away the morning of March 29th at a long beautiful well lived age of 93. A long tremendous life lived for an adventurous, athletic, and ambitious man loved by many who have had the opportunity to be in his presence. He is truly a top class person that could have wonderful conversations with anyone and have his presence and support felt by many.
Born in St Louis, Missouri to parents Marie Hanks and Mike Hickey along with his sister Sharon, he lived a hard life growing up living in an orphanage for 6 years until age 11 when their mom Marie was able to take them out. This was very hard for him and his sister Sharon but it was due to the hardship of not having a lot of money and their mom having to work full time while their dad wasn't always around as much forcing her to raise 2 kids on her own. When they were taken out, they moved to Reno, NV and lived there for a few years before moving again to Carson City, NV where he absolutely loved growing up there excelling as a natural athlete and having write up's in local newspapers for his outstanding performances in basketball, baseball, track, and football for the Carson High Senators. He held the honor there in many accolades from his performances in athletics to being voted senior class president until graduating with the class of '49. Some of his early jobs in Reno and Carson city to make money included selling magazines in downtown Reno, working at a Shell gas station in Carson City pumping gas and fixing flats.
After graduation, he worked on a ranch called the J Lazy J for in Minden, NV working as a cowboy bucking bales of hay weighing anywhere from 50-150 pounds and herding cattle over the Kingsbury grade to South Lake Tahoe which was an all day long job process. After not seeing much of a future in the cowboy business and tired of sitting on horses all day.
Known for his years dedicated to service not just for his country serving 4 years in the Marines right out of high school joining at his local recruiting office in Reno NV, to serve in the Korean War and being injured and honorably discharged as Gunny Sgt, he also served many years shaping the future of bright minds as a high school/ college professor. He gained his teaching credentials from San Francisco State University where he also obtained his undergraduate BA degree and would start off his teaching career journey in 1958 teaching at multiple Oakland Unified School District high schools that would include such as Skyline High School and Castlemont High.and in San Francisco at Mission, Balboa, and Galileo high school.All while teaching in the day and raising Holly he would even drive for Yellow Cab at night to support himself and Holly. He would end his HS teaching career early to raise his son Harlan and later teaching part time and retiring with City College of San Francisco.
His time in the Marines included the USMC recruit depot in San Diego, CA followed by being stationed at multiple bases such as Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton, and Barstow. He was injured being shot in battle and was awarded the purple heart among various other commendations and while back in the states still found a way to serve when he recovered being placed on burial detail taking home the fallen Marines to their final resting places and presenting their loved one's with the folded U.S flag. He always said it was such an honor to do that and the respect he was given to be given that responsibility. Additionally, he served with the 1st Marine division and in the 1st tank battalion. Also being part of the amphibious assault landing in Incheon and later pushing to recapture Seoul known in Marine Corps history for being such a complex operation said by generals that could not be done. He would also go on to fight in Wonson and eventually where he would be injured in the Chosin Reservoir.
In 1957 after earning his B.A from San Francisco State University, he also did graduate work at University of San Francisco in Middle Eastern studies, and took labor negotiations at U.C. Berkeley. He mentioned this was important to have negotiating skills as he was appointed as chairman of the bargaining team as well as and elected as president of the Oakland Teachers Association. He was always inspired to be a leader which also led him to his leadership in rugby being part of the founders of USA Rugby in the early 1970's, president of the Pacific Coast Rugby Football Union, while also refereeing for 15 years. He would say there's a saying in rugby, "It's the game they play in heaven." And it's the game he would love the most. He lived a very athletic life jogging 3 nights a week as well as playing basketball 2 nights a week against men half his age in his 60's! He always stayed so active in his life as a leader for organizations and founding them. He would also be the founder for the Norcal Grizzlies rugby all star team and designed everything from the uniforms to the name as well as the referee society Pelican Ref's. Additionally, he founded the North Coast Surfers Club and wrote monthly columns on Norcal surfing for Surfabout magazine published in Australia as well as writing for numerous rugby magazines in which he had his own column. He would always mention his major accomplishments of raising his beautiful kids Holly and Harlan, surviving Korea, surviving the orphanage/ foster homes, being elected to multiple office elections, (student body HS president, junior class president in college, president of Oakland teachers association, and president in Norcal Rugby). He will always love his kids as he's always been there to support them, Holly, Harlan, and his wife Estella who was always there by his side married for 41 years. He would often say that "she's the love of my life." You will be missed by so many people whose lives you've touched over the years.
"Never forgotten-we will always love you and think of you!"