WEST GARDINER — Ron Hickey was a special person with a kind and generous spirit. He always found the positive in people, and he had a special light that touched so many lives in so many ways.

As a tree grows, so grew Ron’s life. His roots began when he was born in Gardiner, the son of Merton Lee Hickey and Barbara Ann Hickey. Throughout his childhood, he attended Gardiner schools and graduated from Gardiner High School in 1978.

He began working alongside his father and brothers and continued growing and establishing his own logging company, which branched out and flourished. He was a crafty businessman and tailored his company by adding comprehensive tree services after the ice storm.

Working in the woods was not Ron’s job; it was his passion. He had his own chainsaw at the age of 12 and was operating a skidder and pulp loader, with ease, at the age of 14. With his driver’s license came the ability to deliver firewood, four foot or cut and split.

He truly loved his work in the tree business and never complained. He was always the risk taker, enjoying the daily challenges that each new job brought. With each passing year, he and the business grew stronger and more solid. Hickey Tree Service became a well-known local tree company.

Just as a tree becomes fuller once it is tall and strong, the recent years of Ron’s life have been a filling of his life. Ron realized the importance of spending quality time with his family and friends, and his life was rich.

He was a devoted husband who adored his wife, Melanie Littlefield-Hickey, and loved their life and adventures together. He was a patient, supportive, caring and kind father to his son, Josh, stepdaughter, Victoria Littlefield, and daughter, Macy.

Ron’s favorite pastime was to go to his camp in Beaver Cove, and he looked forward to every trip. This will always be his distinctive place, and he spent many fun-filled hours with his family; special “daughter,” Allie Beaulieu; his brother, Wayne Hickey and his wife, Shelley, their children, Cole and Caden; special nephews, Nate and Andy Somes; and niece, Brooke Somes. Other family members to visit his “Moose Camp” include his brother, Steve and his wife, Ora; and his sister, Wendy Somes and her husband, Tim. Other family members also include his stepmother, Julie Hickey; his brother, Gary and wife, Tammy; brother, Will and his wife, Jen; brother-in-law, Chuck Smith; and many adoring nieces and nephews.

This devastating disaster has taken our tree and uprooted our lives in a storm. Ron Hickey will walk peacefully through the forests of heaven. We will fondly remember his sparkling eyes and laughter and think of him when the wind rustles through the leaves and stirs up the dust.