April 21, 1942 - January 19, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
It is with great regret and sadness that we announce the passing of Clifford George Hickey on 19 January 2024 at the age of 81.
Cliff was born on 21 April 1942 in the town of Appleton, Wisconsin to Maurice and Eleanor (nee Gatza) Hickey. At the age of 9, he and his family moved to Tucson, Arizona where he grew up.
After graduating from Salpointe Catholic High School, he attended the University of Arizona, earning his Bachelor's degree in southwestern archaeology. He then decided to switch his focus to Arctic archaeology and attended Brown University in Rhode Island for his Masters and PhD degrees where he met his future wife Lynn.
After completing his fieldwork for his doctorate with Lynn in northwestern Alaska, he moved to Edmonton, Alberta in 1971 and joined the Department of Anthropology at the University of Alberta where he taught Arctic anthropology and archaeology.
From 1971 to 2005 Cliff held numerous positions, including those of Professor, Department Chair, representative to the Boreal Institute and then Chair of its successor, the Canadian Circumpolar Institute.
Summers were often spent conducting fieldwork in such places as Banks Island in the Canadian Arctic. He later took on the role of Aboriginal Liaison for the Sustainable Forest Management Network (SFMN).
Cliff oversaw and supervised the launch of many academic careers for graduate students in anthropology at the University of Alberta and his mentorship has been invaluable to them.
Cliff officially retired from teaching in 2005 but remained affiliated with the SFMN until 2006 when he and Lynn relocated to Ladysmith, BC. There he lived out the remainder of his days enjoying a well-earned retirement filled with reading, golf, travelling, cheering on his beloved Green Bay Packers, rekindling his interest in sailing, and watching the activities of the log boats in the harbour from the window.
Cliff is survived by his wife of 55 years, brother Gerald (Debbie) of Port Townsend, his son Clayton (Shauna) and grandson James, son Travis, nieces Jennifer, Jessica, Erin, and nephew Eric.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the excellent care provided to Cliff by Dr. Vivan Kilvert as well as the doctors and staff at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
A Celebration of Life for family, friends, and colleagues will be held at a later date.