Thomas Hickey

Thomas Hickey obituary

Thomas Hickey

Thomas Hickey Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Vander Plaat Funeral Home - Wyckoff on Aug. 22, 2025.

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Thomas John Hickey died peacefully on Tuesday, August 19th , in Saddle River, NJ, a month shy of his 90th birthday. Tom was born in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx to Irish immigrant parents whose main goal was to lovingly raise and educate their children to give them the opportunity for a better life than they had. And Tom did just that. He was a graduate of St. John's RC Elementary School in Kingsbridge, Regis High School in Manhattan, Manhattan College School of Engineering and Fordham Law School.

In 1958, Tom married the love of his life, Rosemarie Capawana, with whom he had four children, but was sadly widowed as a young man. With the help of his mother, Rebecca Kingston Hickey, he raised his children while at the same time earning his JD degree from Fordham University School of Law. Upon completion of his law degree, he enjoyed a successful career as General Counsel at Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., a large environmental engineering and consulting firm where he spent over 25 years. In addition to his career in engineering and law, Tom also served his community in Paramus, NJ, as Councilman on the Paramus Borough Council as well as Borough Prosecutor.

Tom married the second love of his life, Patrizia Gemperle, in 1994, with whom he travelled and explored the world – and enjoyed divine cuisine – until her untimely death in 2019. Tom was a voracious reader, a passionate Democrat, a devoted Mets fan, a dear friend of Bill Wilson and a gourmand beyond!

Tom is predeceased by his parents, John and Rebecca Hickey, his wives Rosemarie Capawana Hickey and Patrizia Gemperle, his grandson Troy Hickey, his sister Harriet Moran and his brother, John Hickey. Tom is survived by his children, Thomas Hickey, Jr. (Ellen), Michael Hickey (Holly), Constance Kingston and Rebecca Lainovic (Sacha), as well as his grandchildren, Johnny Hickey (Alexandra), Brendan Hickey (Rebecca), Caitlyn Hickey, Rebecca Alvermann (Patrick), Michael Banfield, Stefan Lainovic (Eloise) and Miki Lainovic Majnoni (Nicolo). He is also survived by his sister Joan Hickey and his great-grandson, Colson Hickey.

Tom will be interred at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah, NJ. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to honor Tom's memory, kindly make a gift to

Regis High School:
https://www.regis.org/giving/donations?type=af
Regis High School
Office of Advancement
55 East 84th Street
New York, NY 10028

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas Hickey, please visit our floral store.

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Yesterday

Joe Peiser posted to the memorial.

Yesterday

Mark Ryan posted to the memorial.

August 22, 2025

Vander Plaat Funeral Home - Wyckoff posted an obituary.

2 Entries

Joe Peiser

Yesterday

Tom was a caring, intelligent man. It was a privilege to know him and to have him as a friend. - Joe Peiser. (Regis 1982)

Mark Ryan

Yesterday

A wise and generous man. It was a blessing to have known him. Condolences.

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Vander Plaat Funeral Home - Wyckoff

257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481

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Sign Thomas Hickey's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Yesterday

Joe Peiser posted to the memorial.

Yesterday

Mark Ryan posted to the memorial.

August 22, 2025

Vander Plaat Funeral Home - Wyckoff posted an obituary.