Obituary of John H. Hicks

John H. Hicks, 81, of Madison, N.J., a retired bank executive, devoted family man and volunteer EMT known for his humility, generosity, dry wit and remarkable expanse of knowledge, passed away on Oct. 8 with his wife, Virginia, by his side.

Born in Raleigh, N.C., Mr. Hicks spent his early childhood in Warrenton, N.C., before moving to Latham, N.Y., in 1954. He graduated from Shaker High School in Latham in 1961.

He came to Madison to attend Drew University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics in 1965. He fell in love with Madison and purchased his home there in 1972.   

After working for three years at Prudential Insurance in Newark, N.J., Mr. Hicks embarked on a 35-year career at Irving Trust and the Bank Of New York. Beginning as a systems analyst, he rose to become a senior executive with the bank. During this time, he formed life-long relationships with several of his co-workers and, more importantly, met Virginia, who was to become the love of his life.

In 1976, Mr. Hicks was chosen by Irving Trust to attend the Program for Management Development at Harvard University. He often said he learned more during those 13 weeks than he did during his four years of college, and fondly remembered that period and the friendships he developed there.   

One of his major accomplishments was overseeing the design of a multi-bank data processing system for the company.  He subsequently served on the team that built a state-of-the-art operations headquarters for Irving.

After serving as leader of the consolidation and merger of Irving and the Bank of New York in 1989, Mr. Hicks oversaw operations for commercial lending, offshore banking, foreign exchange, mortgages and the Bank of New York Delaware Credit Card Operations and Credit Analysis Unit.

He also served on the board of directors of Master Card (Maestro), NYCE (ATMs) and the New York Clearing House’s Small Value Payments Company.

Mr. Hicks took great pride in the fact that the systems he developed played a role in helping Bank of New York become the second largest settlement bank in the world. During his career, he developed a point-of-sale check authorization system for which he holds a patent.

Upon his retirement in 2003 at age 60, he became an EMT and volunteered for nearly 22 years with Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps. In addition to being a riding member, he served on the Building and Bylaws Committees and helped with the transition as the Fire Department assumed responsibility for emergency medical services in 2025.

Mr. Hicks proudly shared that his ancestors received a land grant from King Charles II in 1662 in an area that now comprises a large portion of the state of Virginia.

He loved gathering with family and friends for holidays and casual get-togethers. Younger family members often looked to him for advice and guidance, which he gladly shared. One piece of his advice resonated with family: “Knowledge should be broad and general, 500 miles wide and one foot deep.”

Mr. Hicks enjoyed reading, refinishing antique trunks, and driving – especially in the rain. He loved to putter in his expansive basement workshop and could fix anything if given the chance. In his younger years he was an avid motorcyclist and enjoyed taking long trips with friends.

He told his family the best parts of his life were raising his son, Bobby, and coaching soccer, “even when he didn’t know what offsides meant.”

He enjoyed travel, including annual trips years ago with a group of Madison families, and many vacations abroad with his treasured Irving Trust colleagues, friends of more than 50 years. One of his favorites was a Danube River cruise.

He is predeceased by his parents, Marie and William; a sister, Joanna Colrain, and his brother, Thomas.

He is survived by Virginia, his wife of 37 years; his son, Robert, of Washington, D.C.; and his daughter-in-law, Laura (Wood), whom he always referred to as his daughter. Also surviving are a sister, Pamela Lymberis, and her husband, Ted; and a cousin, Nancy Downing and her husband, Dick, who were like siblings to him.

He’s also survived by extended family, including his wife’s four siblings, their spouses, 17 nieces and nephews, and 16 grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Oct. 19, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, Madison, N.J. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations “in memory of John Hicks” be sent to Karen Milne-Holme at the Salvation Army New Jersey Division, 4 Gary Road, Union, N.J., 07083. Mr. Hicks credited the organization with feeding his mother’s family during the Great Depression.